Through nonprofit work, we take a stand

For the past two months during our annual fund-raising campaign, United Way of Mat-Su has had the opportunity to highlight our volunteers in the Volunteer Spotlight, a community service column in the Frontiersman. The column will be ongoing, and nonprofit agencies are encouraged to submit their own volunteer highlights throughout the year.

Shining the spotlight on our volunteers has served as a reminder to us at United Way of the importance of volunteers -- not only in our organization, but also in our community. To be a volunteer and to work with volunteers are among life's most enriching experiences. Our hats are off to all volunteers and we thank you for your service.

Our active campaign period ends Nov. 16, so the spotlight will not be turned on volunteers who are working in nonprofits other than the United Way. As a final message from us, the following article is reprinted with permission from the Board Cafe, published monthly by CompassPoint Nonprofit Services and the National Center for Nonprofit Boards:

As we move from the initial shock of the Sept. 11 events, many of us are turning back to our volunteer work with mixed feelings. In one way, seeing the spirit of the rescue workers and others inspires us to recommit ourselves to saving lives and strengthening communities. But for many people, the events made everyday volunteer work seem unimportant, overshadowed by distant, urgent concerns.

Volunteering and working in nonprofits have always been how we demonstrate hope and confidence in the future, and the belief that we each make a difference. But the Sept. 11 events provoke the opposite -- feelings of hopelessness, fear and powerlessness. We have asked, "In the grand scheme of things, does what I do matter?"

Our answer is that the everyday heroism of America's nonprofit sector matters now more than ever.

In response to the events, people everywhere instinctively turned to nonprofit organizations -- the Red Cross, their places of work, schools and neighborhood associations, as well as to counselors, teachers and community leaders. It was a strong reminder that everyday, nonprofit staff and volunteers rescue children, help the injured, console the grieving and advocate for solutions.

This everyday work may be less visible to the public, but it's no less important or urgent. Nonprofit organizations give us all the opportunity to engage in activities that make us personally stronger and connect us to something larger.

The future holds many uncertain fears -- of unwise military actions, of further terrorist acts, of economic downturn and joblessness, and of a profound loss of confidence and safety.

These concerns may be new to the United States, but millions of people all over the world have lived with them for years. We can learn from their examples and find hope that we will take care of one another, that we will advocate for sound foreign policy, that we will fight prejudice and hate crimes against the Middle Eastern and Muslim Americans, and that we will find confidence by acting individually and collectively for justice and the safety of people everywhere.

All of us who work and volunteer in nonprofits can be proud that every day, by doing our work, we take a stand against terrorism and for community, peace and justice.