This is the story of the United Way
Americans have always been dreamers. Sometimes their vision and ideas have changed the face of our nation. One idea started 100 years ago miles high in the Rocky Mountains. Out of the boom and bust of the gold rush something happened. Something uniquely American. An idea was born. In Denver in 1887, there were people who needed help and, as always in our country, there were those who wanted to help.
Four men of different faiths: Monsignor William O'Reilly, a Catholic; Father Martin Hart, an Episcopalian; Rev. Myron Reid, a Congregationalist; and Rabbi William Friedman, had gathered together for a meeting to discuss the common concerns they had for their community. In a few short years, they had watched their community come to a point where there was not enough housing, no sanitation and children went off to work in the mines. They realized that when tragedy struck (such as a recent fire) it destroyed everything - not only were lives lost, but hopes and dreams were lost. As community leaders, they saw that they needed to rally their resources. The immediate needs at the moment were warm clothing, blankets, food and shelter. Because these needs affected the entire community, they felt they could not draw the line on who was to receive or assist with help. "We must ask everyone to give," they said, "not just the wealthy." These four men knew that they could count on each other as their goals were all the same. They ended the meeting by stating, "You know, this is quite revolutionary...But it sure feels good, doesn't it!"
The entire community came together to address its needs, and the first United Way was formed. It seemed all the history that preceded them and all the challenges that lie before them were not as important as what lie within them.
The four gentlemen began to visit other community leaders and explain their ideas. The response from these concerned citizens was this, "You mean that you would see that the money is administered to the different agencies that are helping people so that it would go to the truly needy?" "Yes," they replied, "that would be an important part of it." These citizens then stated to the four men of faith, "If you could make this work, you would be performing a most important service. As we see it, you would not only be helping people solve their problems, but more importantly, you would be giving us an opportunity to be a part of the solution." And that, my friends, was the beginning.
Over the years, the idea grew, in communities all across the nation, into a family of agencies. When times got tough, Americans gave until there was nothing left to give. The times have changed, but not the people...not the idea. The tradition of helping has survived all the tests of time. Today our problems are different. Single parents need day care services for their children; young people's lives are being lost because of the problems with alcohol and drug abuse; the numbers of homeless and poverty stricken are growing in our cities and towns; battered women and children need help; senior citizens want to live out their lives with dignity; and in every community, through agencies large and small, United Way volunteers are working to solve problems.
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