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, and I am the 2022 Community Impact Chair.  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 the Power of 5.  Supporting your community can be as easy as a $5 donation, giving 5 hours of your time, or inviting 5 people to volunteer with you to maximize impact.

One donation of $5 can provide training materials for one tutor.  A $5 donation taken to the power of 5 can turn to $25 and cover the cost for one older adult to receive gap financial support for ten hot or frozen meals allowing them to stay in their family home.  Apply the power of 5 to a $25 donation, and that $125 can cover the cost of one family’s supervised exchanges for two months.  

Financial support from UWSWMN helps fund local programs serving 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.  UWSWMN invests 2021 campaign funds in initiatives, community partner programs, and partnerships serving approximately 35,000 local people.  The ripple effect extends the impact even further.

UWSWMN 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, 2023.  Thank you for the many donations we have already received toward our fundraising goal.  Our service area has always lived up to our 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, and 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.  New this year, you can also donate through Venmo @UnitedWaySWMN 

Thank you!

Brian Jeremiason
United Way of Southwest Minnesota Board Director