David

It was 1975 and David spent many afternoons and evenings with his friends at a local community center. United Way funded the programming and invited David to be featured on a campaign brochure. This was his first introduction to United Way and learning what it was doing for him and his community.

Today, David works for Coca-Cola. When the company began its most recent United Way workplace campaign, David remembered the community center. He asked about how to get a copy of the old brochure he was in. “That picture in the brochure is very dear to my heart. Many of my family’s photos were destroyed in a fire so it’s the youngest picture I have of myself.”

After a bit of digging, the brochure was found. David surprised his family with the photo. “When I pulled it out, everyone was just amazed. My mom actually started crying.”

David now gives back to the community that provided him with a positive, safe place to grow by giving to United Way’s campaign. He uses his story to inspire others to contribute. “It gives you a sense that you are helping the community. It creates an environment where people are part of something bigger, helping each other in whatever way we can.”

Like David, each of us has an opportunity to make a difference. When you give to United Way, you choose to be part of the solution, helping hundreds of thousands of people in our community each year. That’s what it means to Live United.