Five-and-half years ago I lost my son to suicide. Although this unquestionably was the most horrific event imaginable in my life, a positive twist has evolved through it. I am sure for most it is next to impossible to imagine what good could come from such a tragedy, but as is the case with many people, the catalyst to becoming involved with an organization stems from personal use or that of a family member or friend who has used it. This is true in my case.

I was fortunate five years ago to participate in a suicide bereavement support group made possible through United Way funding. This was the beginning of an incredible journey.

These past few years I have gone from facilitating bereavement groups, to educating the public about mental illness and the connection to suicide, to sharing my story on behalf of the United Way at public presentations.

It was during this time I really began to learn more about the United Way. I learned that my family and I had benefited from not just one program, but from seven different agencies supported through the local United Way.

This spurred me even more to give back to an organization that had been there in our times of need. The more I learned of United Way the more involved I needed to be. I learned about the sponsored employee program through the website and the rest is history.

From Sept. 2 to Dec. 19, 2008, I worked out of the local United Way office managing employee payroll deduction campaigns. My job was to guide the employee campaign coordinators with their campaigns, educate their staff about the United Way, and how their payroll contributions would help the community.

Little did I know that being a sponsored employee would be the extremely enriching experience it was:

• I learned about the agencies and programs supported through United Way in the community. Before taking on this work, I did not begin understand the depth of compassion and commitment of these agencies to the community.
• I met tireless people who are the driving force behind the success of our local United Way – what inspirational people they are.
• I educated the public about the United Way and had the reward of hearing “I didn’t know that, thank you.”
• I experienced first-hand the immense generosity of the people in our community.

Aside from the fulfillment of being part of such a worthy organization, the experience has been truly gratifying and instrumental in my personal growth. It afforded me the opportunity to use and develop skills that will last me a lifetime both in my professional and personal life.

This experience is only the beginning of what is to come next, to be able to become more involved with United Way and with our community. The saying “to give is the best gift a person can get” has proven to be true on so many levels.

Wendy Holmquist

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