Brian Jeremiason Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:
I have had the honor of being a member of the United Way of Southwest Minnesota (UWSWMN) Board of Directors since 2019.  I’ve learned a great deal and have been very fortunate to see firsthand how the UWSWMN touched the lives of thousands of people in Southwest Minnesota with the many services made available by our community partner programs.  
I’m writing today, to invite you and your readers to consider joining our community of givers this year.  Our campaign this year is focused on Raising Your Hand.  It is said that you can live 40 days without food, 7 days without water, a few minutes without breathing, but you can’t live one second without HOPE.  Today we invite you to Raise Your Hand with the United Way of Southwest Minnesota and create HOPE in our community.
Supporting your community can be as easy as a $5 donation, giving your time or inviting family and friends to volunteer with you to maximize impact.
•    One donation of $5 will purchase 500 pounds of fresh potatoes from Second Harvest Food Bank.
•    One donation of $25 covers the cost of a whole week of meals for a senior recovering from illness or a hospital stay.
•    A $50 donation can supply shelter and food for a family in need for one night.
•    A $100 donation can provide personalized tutoring to two students for one month.
The United Way of Southwest Minnesota is committed to helping fund local programs serving around 35,000 people here at home in the UWSWMN service area.  We focus our investments in five priority areas: health, education, financial stability, hunger, and safety & well-being. 
United Way of Southwest Minnesota has been certified in accountability and awarded the Charities Review Council “Meets Standards” Seal.  This certification indicates that UWSWMN meets all 25 of the Council’s Accountability Standards-demonstrating accountable and ethical practices.  This notable accreditation is the direct result of a hardworking staff and a dedicated board.  
We are closing this year’s campaign season on January 31, 2024.   Our service area has always lived up to a reputation of caring for our neighbors.  Please consider any amount, great or small to be shared with our community partners.  Our service areas include individuals who live in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine and portions of Cottonwood, Lac qui Parle, Nobles and Redwood counties.  All contributions stay local, your donations are literally helping your neighbor.   Your donation will go far… but not far away.
To make a contribution or learn more about the work of your local United Way, please visit www.unitedwayswmn.org.  Donations can be mailed directly to: UWSWMN PO Box 41, Marshall, MN 56258 or online on the website listed above.  You can also donate through Venmo @UnitedWaySWMN 
Thank you!
Brian Jeremiason
United Way of Southwest Minnesota Board Director