By Dalton Black, Executive Director
Recently I was reminded what an Everyday Hero looks like. They weren’t someone wearing a cape, masking their identity, or performing some grand gesture. They look like a school administrator. They look like an insurance agent. They look like a nurse. They look like university staff. They look like you.
I was at an event not long ago where a person in attendance had a medical emergency. It was frightening for everyone there. Personally, it sent my anxiety through the roof. But I was astounded by the folks who jumped into action to help them. These folks showed no hesitation to make sure this person was safe and received the help they needed. Not all of them had medical training, and that didn’t matter. They called the emergency medical services and sat with this person until EMTs arrived. These heroes were brave, empathetic, and knew, regardless of if they were prepared to handle the situation, they couldn’t leave a fellow citizen without aid.
The whole way back to my office that day, I kept thinking these are the kinds of people who make the world a better place. They were ordinary. They had no grand skills or know-how that made them the most qualified. They were everyday folks being everyday heroes for their neighbor.
In the end, we can all be Everyday Heroes. All we need is a bit of compassion and bravery. Maybe jumping into action isn’t for you, but there are lots of other ways you can be a hero for someone in need.
Volunteer. There are many nonprofits in Harvey County, including United Way, that rely on volunteers to meet their mission. If you don’t have a lot to give, giving your time to an organization that speaks to you is the best way to be involved. Maybe you have an hour in the morning where you could deliver a handful of meals to homebound seniors. Maybe you have an hour lunch break where you could sit in a classroom and help a student learn to read. Giving just 5 hours a month to helping a nonprofit organization goes a long way to further their reach and clients they can serve.
Advocate. If you’re really passionate about an organization and volunteering isn’t quite enough, then maybe it’s time for you to step into an advocacy role. Maybe you feel strongly about working to address poverty in our community. Take some time to speak with one of your state representatives and encourage them to find ways to address the issue. Maybe it’s about LGBTQ+ rights. Speak with your legislators about how you’d like them to represent your interests with their votes. Advocate for change. Be a voice for those who need it most. This will do a lot to make change for folks who are served by your favorite nonprofit organization.
Give. The biggest way you can help a nonprofit is by providing a financial donation. With your donation, they will be able to provide more meals to seniors, more advocates for children in need of protection, more training for volunteers, and so much more to further their individual missions. Donations don’t have to be huge. Twenty dollars can go a long way for many organizations. If you’re able to give large gifts, even better, but gifts of any size are valuable. Consider the giving strategy that’s best for you. Maybe it’s just a one-time gift. Or maybe it’s a monthly donation of $10 per month, which would allow you to give a lot more over the course of a year than you might be able to by giving a one-time donation.
No matter which activity is right for you, I encourage you to step-up and be an Everyday Hero for someone in our community. Find something you’re passionate about, reach out to a nonprofit doing that work, and find out how you can make a difference. We can all make a difference when we Live United.
