by Scott C. Ulbrich
Guest Blogger, United Way of Salt Lake Board Member
In December of 2011, an anonymous donor came forward with a wonderful $20,000 donation to help families in need at Christmas. With the help of United Way of Salt Lake, 200 one-hundred-dollar gift cards were purchased at Wal Mart. The gift cards were then distributed to recipients at several Community Learning Centers in United Way of Salt Lake’s service areas.
I had the opportunity to accompany Domonia Voniarisoa and Raunde Everett with United Way’s Bill Crim, as we distributed the cards to residents of the South Parc Townhomes and the Hser Ner Moo Community Welcome Center.
What a heart-warming and gut wrenching experience I had! It was clear that the families we gave the gift cards to were going to find a wonderful use for them. I was truly humbled at the need I witnessed and the thanks these folks expressed as we delivered these gifts. What a wonderful way to spend a morning and it served to underscore how important the work is that we are doing at United Way. For many of these families these gift cards meant the difference between having a Christmas and not having one.
It also struck me that this was such an easy way for a company or group of individuals to get involved in helping folks, whether it be for the holidays, or any other time!
The work that is being done at Hser Ner Moo is amazing and I know that it makes a difference. Thanks, United Way of Salt Lake, for helping to facilitate this program!
