An example of United Way funds at work in E. Iowa

By Cathy and Marc Gullickson

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Every year we work with the United Way of East Central Iowa campaign and every year we walk away amazed by two things:

l The generosity of our community in helping people who really need it.

l The strength and tenacity of the people who benefit from our United Way contributions.

Here's a brief version of a success story we recently heard from one of our partner agencies:

Larry is a single dad who fought for 10 months for custody of his six kids, and won. When they moved to Cedar Rapids to be near family, Larry immediately took a position with a temporary agency. While he was happy to be employed, Larry frequently had to be at work at 6:30 a.m., an almost impossible schedule for a single parent.

In response to this challenge, he started Larry's Landscaping, replicating a business he owned and operated in Illinois. With his kids in several different schools and day care centers, as well as clients to please, it was still difficult to be in all of the places he needed to be.

“When I first took all the kids to Waypoint, they only had room for one,” Larry said. “The rest were on the waiting list, so I called Waypoint every other day. Finally, they called and said, ‘Larry, bring all your kids'.

“They opened their doors - not only with child care all at one place, but with diapers and food items for my family.” (Larry's kids are supported with United Way funds, which help provide access to quality child care at Waypoint.)

“My 8-year-old couldn't read or write or count before we came here. Now she can do all three. My school-age kids get help with their homework in the before and after-school programs,” Larry added.

Larry picks up his children at Waypoint at

5:30 p.m., sends them

outdoors to play and starts one of his favorite activities - cooking. He takes his kids to school events, a weekly Bible study and the Family Literacy Program sponsored by Horizons, another United Way-funded program.

In the past year, Larry found time to attend the required classes to become a preapproved provider of state services.

Because of this designation, he recently was awarded a landscaping contract with the state of Iowa, adding them to his ever-growing list of clients.

We could go on about this loving, tenacious

parent. We could also tell you about each of United Way of East Central Iowa's 37 partner agencies, their programs and how they all have hundreds of examples of helping friends and neighbors like Larry.

Larry's story provides a wonderful example of how your contributions are put to effective, measurable use for many who need a little help along the way. Your generosity makes it possible for United Way and its partner agencies to help thousands of people like Larry and his children “Start Strong. Grow Strong. Stay Strong.”

Please, help us help others by giving generously to United Way of East Central Iowa during this year's campaign.

Cathy and Marc Gullickson of Cedar Rapids are co-chairs of the 2011 United Way of East Central Iowa Campaign. Marc is president, Ryan Companies, UC Inc.-Iowa. Cathy is an organizational consultant. Comments: Marc.gullickson@ryancompanies.com and mcgullickson@ryancom

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