It’s hard to believe the 2008 United Way of Freeborn County campaign is nearing its end. What an amazing journey!

I am so amazed at how much our community has contributed. We are at over $510,000, about 86 percent of our $592,000 need. I have full faith we will continue to receive donations up to our cutoff date of Dec. 31.

The past week people have been stepping up and getting their pledges in. Even during this crazy time of year, our community is still aware of addressing the need.

Lately, at the United Way office, we’ve been looking over the budget for next year. We are also getting ready for our allocations meeting in January — when the Allocations Committee decides how much each agency will receive next year based on how much was raised during this campaign.

There’s a lot of numbers to look over. But the numbers represent people in our community and the help they will receive.

There are people who need rides to the doctor, a place to stay and someone to talk to. There are people who need assistance with their finances or a week’s worth of groceries to make it to their next paycheck.

We’ve had calls this fall from people who are close to having their heat shut off, who need medication for their children, people who are looking for a job and who can’t afford to buy their children Christmas presents.

We try our best to refer people to places where they may receive help. And we are gifted in our community with many different places available to give help.

We are also gifted to have people who give so freely of their time and energy to help others. It’s about both giving and receiving. When one receives, they are more able to give. And once the giving begins, it continues on and on.

As we meet with our families during the holiday, let’s take time to remember that we’re all in this together. No matter if our families are large or small, we have one great big family in our community and we are called upon to care for each other.

“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” — Kahlil Gibran

Ann Austin is the executive director of the United Way of Freeborn County.