How Are You Changing The World?

The Bristol Observer

October 11, 2013

Michael Rivers

Ask yourself:
If not us, then who?
If not now, then when?

Take the pledge:
Today, I’m going to try to change the world.

How will you try to change the world? It doesn’t have to be something huge – even small things, like serving a meal at a local food pantry or filling a backpack with school supplies for a child’s first day of school, can help. As Mother Teresa said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” The ripples that you put into motion with your actions can affect the whole community.

United Way’s work has the same effect. By creating lasting changes that improve the lives of everyone in our communities, the ripples they are making have a real impact. United Way is changing the world by focusing on the building blocks of a good life for all – education, income and health. They are making a difference by helping children and youth achieve their potential, helping individuals and families become more financially stable, and improving people’s health and wellness.

I am asking every member of the community to make an investment in United Way – cast your stone and watch your ripples set something wonderful into motion, right here in Bristol.

Giving of your time or your financial support to the 2013-2014 Annual Community Campaign this season will make a difference in many lives throughout our community. I have been involved with United Way for 30-plus years and believe strongly in its mission and vision. That vision is to advance the common good by creating lasting changes to improve lives in our communities. Those changes can only take place and have an impact if we all band together because after all…this is our community and we can make a difference.

Imagine what the waters look like when United Way takes the stone that you cast and combines it with the stones that hundreds of other people cast – the ripples extend beyond the shores and can create a truly meaningful impact. Last year alone, United Way’s work touched the lives of 102,259 people in our community – no other organization can have that kind of reach. And through their community impact process, they ensure that every donor’s gift goes to where our community needs it most.

When your investment is combined with the investments of hundreds of others, lasting changes can be created and we can change the world together. But United Way can’t do it alone – they need your help. Please support the United Way of West Central Connecticut by going to www.uwwestcentralct.org/donate. And each day, continue to Live United and take the pledge – “Today, I’m going to try to change the world.”

Michael Rivers is the Bristol chair of the United Way Community Campaign. When he’s not working to help United Way, he is the senior vice president at Tracy-Driscoll Insurance & Financial Services.