By Angela DeBoskey
There is an unmistakable excitement that comes with the arrival of the fall sports season, as fans and proud family members begin marking big games on their calendars, gathering their squad and donning their team colors.
Our campaign season at United Way of Hancock County runs parallel with this athletic timeline, which means that we’ve been busy planning kickoff events, engaging our supporters and inventorying our LIVE UNITED T-shirts. We might not be running a 50-yard pass or tackling our opponents, but we’re certainly not sitting on the sidelines, either.
Are you?
No matter your athletic prowess, we at the United Way can help you get in the game. We partner with 19 local nonprofit agencies to help 1 in 4 people in Hancock County. That’s a strong reach, and every donor, volunteer or advocate who joins us only makes our team stronger.
This fall sports season, ask yourself if you are playing in the right position or if you are using your influence to coach someone else. If the answer is no, let’s talk.
We’ll start by helping you to choose your field. We’ll identify which causes matter to you most, from championing children’s issues to battling hunger, fostering financial stability, promoting safety and health, or something else. And we’ll determine what position you’ll play, be it through a gift of your time or by actively cheering on important local endeavors.
Then we’ll help you design a play that makes sense. If you’d like to become a volunteer, we’ll assess your skills, passions, goals and available time commitment. We’ll give you a full roster of places that could use your help and leave you feeling empowered to make a difference. If advocacy is more your calling, we’ll connect you to a cause that’s close to your heart and help you rally around it.
Then, all that’s left to do is spot who’s open downfield and throw in a little sweat equity. Before you know it, you’ll be a part of the great things that are happening in this community.
It’s your move, Hancock County.
DeBoskey is CEO of United Way of Hancock County.
(This guest column appeared in the Aug. 31, 2023, edition of the Findlay Courier.)