"Live United" - More than a slogan at Valley United Way

For more than a year now, we have been promoting the value of "Living United" and featured many stories of people and groups from around the Valley who make this a better community through individual and group initiatives. There are many ways to share "time, talent and treasure" and at United Way we like to promote and recognize those efforts.

At the same time, we also Live United ourselves with staff members and our volunteer leaders being involved in a wide variety of community activities not associated with United Way. One of those connections is one that Pat Tarasovic and I have with Rotary. We are both members and Past Presidents of the Derby/Shelton Rotary Club. Dave Grant, Vice Chair of United Way's Board of Directors is also a member and Past President of the Club.

Last night the Club held its annual installation dinner at which it celebrated the extraordinary accomplishments of the Club during the past year's tenure of President Linda Holmes-Hannon. The Club has done some amazing things in the last year and its record in giving back to the community is exceptional. At the same time, Dave was installed as the new President of the Derby/Shelton Rotary Club. In the long history of the Club - It was founded in 1927 - no one has ever come back to serve a second term, and now Dave will be the first! The motto of Rotary is "Service Above Self" and you might say that Dave takes it to the extreme as he was even seen serving food in the buffet line!

Pat and I were pleasently surprised to receive some special honors from the Club as well. Linda presented Pat with a Paul Harris Fellow award for her outstanding contributions to the Club over the years, and I was given the Rotarian of the Year Award. I think we were both very honored and humbled to receive special recognition for things that we consider to be ordinary.

When I arrived home after the event, I had an e-mail from the Housatonic Council of the Boy Scouts of America announcing their Good Scout Award. It was no surprise to learn that they are presenting the award to Fletcher Thompson, Inc. for all they do for Scouting. Fletcher Thompson is also a great supporter of United Way, and Mike Marcinek is our current Board Chair and a four time Campaign Chairman. In the years since they moved to the Valley, they have become a leading corporate citizen and an example for others to follow.

As I said earlier, Live United is more than a slogan here at United Way, and every once in a while it's good to pause and think about how we can all make a difference by "Living United" in our own way.