Blog United with United Way of Pierce County

Hello readers! I’m Timm Dowling, a loaned executive for the 2012 campaign season, sponsored by Columbia Bank. I’ll be sharing some of my perspectives on issues in the community for the next couple months.

To give you a little bit of my background, I graduated from Washington State University (Go Cougs!) in May with a degree in Communication. After graduation, I felt a certain pressure to find a well-paid corporate job. However, I knew I couldn’t fulfill a profession unless I found motivation outside the pay check. While I was researching online, my mother pointed out United Way of Pierce County’s Loaned Executive ad in the newspaper. I felt it was a perfect fit. About a month later, I was in Tacoma learning all about the accomplishments and objectives of United Way of Pierce County.

One of our mantras is “LIVE UNITED”. A concise, inspirational phrase, but what does it really mean? We’ve all seen stories in the news. We’ve all read about tragedies around the world. We’ve heard about the house down the street that burnt down. So what are we supposed to do about it? How do these events affect me? I saw a video on the internet last April that sparked these questions.

When the Kony 2012 video went viral, and millions were moved to spread the message about Joseph Kony and his child soldiers in Africa, I couldn’t help but wonder if it would make a difference. What can I do to really help those children, to help the unfortunate, the poor and the sick? I concluded that I may never go to Africa and rescue those children, but I could make an effort to rescue those in my local community. And maybe there isn’t anything so drastic in my neighborhood, but I believe if I am involved, observant and available, then I am affecting the world positively. If I smile at my neighbor, I am co-creating a world where humans help each other instead of hurt each other.

When I saw all the sustainable improvements United Way was providing, I was encouraged to a point of awe. Here is an entire organization committed to the very same goal that I am. And it’s working!

How can I make a difference? How can I change the world? Here’s some good news, it’s already happening. To LIVE UNITED is to understand that we are not alone. We have each other. Whether we realize it or not, our lives are connected. The smallest action can reverberate into the grandest change.

The United Way is a way of life.