“Completely Anonymous,” that is all the detail report said about two large donations received by United Way of Southwest Colorado on Colorado Gives Day (Dec. 8). Two people gave generously and did not want so much as a thank you note in return – wow.
We know that people give for many reasons: to repay past kindness, to feel good inside, to look good on the outside, to reduce taxes or to enjoy seeing the affect of their gift on those who receive it. Or, all of the above.
Clearly, the anonymous donors are not in it for an image boost! Imagine who these mystery folks might be. One of the donors could be a kindergarten teacher who welcomes kids of all backgrounds into her class and helps them to start a successful academic journey. She knows that those kids who have the opportunity to experience high quality child care and education at an early age will be ready to enter kindergarten and will most likely graduate from high school. The teacher may give to support those early education programs that give kids a boost before she has an opportunity to work her magic with them in kindergarten.
Perhaps one of the donors is a nurse who witnesses the health struggles of so many in the community. He sees those folks who want to be healthy but lack the basics of shelter and food, therefore live with chronic instability. He sees those who desperately want to feel normal, yet struggle with depression or anxiety, and often addiction. He sees the kids who are learning to make healthy choices (or not) by observing the adults in their lives. The nurse gives to support those programs that are beyond the scope of the care he can provide in his job, but the care that is so desperately needed.
Maybe one of the donors is a local real estate agent who sells many dream homes to clients, but she realizes there are many others in the community who live on the edge of poverty. She sees the physical beauty in this community as an asset, but the inner beauty of caring and generous people as an equally important consideration. She gives to help support those programs that help people to pursue a quality education, obtain good jobs and to build financial stability for their own futures.
Finally, imagine a quiet, unassuming gentleman who lives a frugal and honest life. He is generous with a smile or a kind word and thinks more of others than himself. He knows that his gift will be part of the effort to help more than 25,000 people in Southwest Colorado this year.
We would like to say thank you to all of our donors, and we have an extra-special place in our hearts for the mysterious anonymous givers. We hope you are smiling wherever you are and know you helped people all around you in this community to build better lives. Thank YOU for Living United.
Lynn Urban is president and CEO of United Way of Southwest Colorado.
