Time to remember what really matters

Simply Sleight, By Kari Sleight

The 2004-2005 United Way campaign will officially kick off next Tuesday, Sept. 14 at the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce's weekly luncheon held at Best Western Lake Lucille.

This year's campaign co-chairs, Elizabeth Ripley of Valley Hospital and Desi Mayo of Matanuska Telephone Association, have taken a bold step in announcing the goal for this year's campaign has been set at $1 million.

Last year, this community generously gave more than $500,000 to the United Way campaign to help fund a variety of services and programs that are fundamental for a healthy community.

The mission of United Way of Mat-Su is "to develop community pride and promote a greater sense of self-reliance through the organized efforts to care for our neighbors," and our vision is "a community where compassion, generosity and stewardship are intrinsic values."

The United Way of Mat-Su board of directors and executive director have made a commitment to be more than a fund-raising organization; we are an organization of impact.

Impact is what matters. We are committed to being a leader of community development and are far ahead of many other organizations and United Way chapters across the nation in terms of measuring community needs and perceptions.

The Mat-Su area has exploded in population, growing 142 percent since 1980. Along with that booming population comes escalating needs, this at a time when federal and state governments are continually reducing support for the agencies that provide essential services to those in need.

Elizabeth and Desi believe we are a million-dollar community, and I agree.

We are a multimillion-dollar community in terms of employment and commerce. We are a multimillion-dollar community in terms of new construction growth. We are a multimillion-dollar community in terms of service providers. We are a multimillion-dollar community in terms of tourism-related goods and services.

And, if generosity, caring and pride could be counted in financial terms, I have no doubt our community would far surpass our economic impact.

Impact is what matters.

While we are rich in resources and community spirit, our community suffers the effects of overburdened and underfunded social service agencies.

Too many of our friends, neighbors and loved ones are slipping through the strained and stretched safety nets of antiquated programs that were designed many years ago and not equipped for the social problems we face today.

I am privileged to call the Mat-Su my home, and proud to be counted as one of its residents. I ask you to join me in opening your heart and your checkbook when Elizabeth, Desi or one of the many United Way of Mat-Su volunteers asks for your support.

Together we can make a significant impact on the million-dollar community, and impact IS what matters.

Kari Sleight is the publisher of the Frontiersman.