Letter from the President

Dear Neighbor,

It’s no secret that people in our community are facing some tough challenges. As many generous people give so much at this time of year, I would like to share with you just one example of the difference you can make in someone’s life by supporting United Way.

Last April, Martin was watching a soccer game on TV in his apartment in Carol Stream when he heard what sounded like construction outside his window. Curious, he looked out the window and saw the trees swaying in the wind, the branches touching the ground each time they moved back and forth. Suddenly, he saw an uprooted tree flying straight toward his window. As he turned around and ran toward the bathroom, he felt debris hitting his back. Martin yelled to his wife and three children and they huddled in the bathroom. Moments later, they heard a huge crash as the tree smashed through their first floor window.The storm, later classified as a microburst, rendered 7 apartment buildings in the Covered Bridges complex severely damaged or uninhabitable. Martin’s family worked with a caseworker at the Outreach Community Center in Carol Stream, who helped them locate new housing and provided them with vouchers for clothing and food. Immediate care was also provided to council the young children as they were left without a home.

Martin says the week after the storm was “extremely sad.” “I didn’t see my family smile for a week. Instead I saw a lot of crying and fear,” he says. Overall though, things started to get back to normal. Martin is extremely grateful for the help his family has received. According to Martin, small things are capable of bringing great joy in the midst of tragedy.

United Way was able to support the programs that quickly put Martin and his family back on track to self-sufficiency. This was just one glimpse at the meaningful impact United Way programs are making—thanks to the generous support of caring residents just like you.

Our county is facing some tough challenges and your support is crucial to us meeting those needs. For example, in Illinois, poverty is moving to the suburbs, and in the DuPage area, the poverty rate has increased by 101% since 2005. Our area families are feeling a tremendous financial strain. Supporting United Way is truly the most effective way to improve lives and strengthen our community–and I hope you will play a part by mailing your donation to:

United Way of the DuPage Area
P.O. Box 5317
Oak Brook, IL 60522.

Sincerely,

Walker Geyer
Managing Director Capital Markets
Paramount Lodging Advisors
2007 UWDA Board President

P.S. Thank you in advance for caring about others and for investing in our community by supporting United Way.