Give the united way

On Thursday, September 10, 2009, I videotaped interviews at a United Way event for delawaredhispanic.com. When I arrived the 40 some kids were sporting their new United Way tees and smiles that could only come from a moment of getting out of school. After interviewing the director and one of the fundraisers we had an interesting conversation with an officer from DEDO about how much the United Way helps families in Delaware. Please visit their site at the United Way. True spirituality starts when people go out of their way to help other people. Be a part of a world that grows and nurtures the development of its people. Following is the press release for the last Thursday event that “stopped traffic”:

UNITED WAY OF DELAWARE “STOPS TRAFFIC” ON MARKET STREET MALL TO ANNOUNCE $20.5 MILLION 2009 CAMPAIGN GOAL

WILMINGTON, Del. (September 10, 2009) – United Way of Delaware (UWD) “stopped traffic” in downtown Wilmington at noon today to stage a “flash mob” and announce its fundraising goal for the 2009 statewide campaign. A group of ‘Live United Players,’ including United Way staff and first-grade students from Kuumba Academy performed in front of the Grand Opera House on Market Street Mall.

Organization leaders joined with community supporters and the general public to announce a 2009 United Way Campaign goal of $20.5 million and to underscore the importance of bringing donors together to support more than 100 social service agencies throughout the state. The campaign will run through the end of the year.

“We launched the campaign differently this year because, frankly, it can’t be business as usual anymore,” said Michelle A. Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Delaware. “Times are never easy for those who need our help, but things are tougher than ever this year.”

Taylor noted that the economic challenges of the past year have yielded a great deal of compassion from Delawareans, including the many community volunteers who help lead United Way’s appeals and partnerships. The kickoff event included United Way of Delaware’s 2009 Campaign Co-Chairs: Diane Gulyas, Group Vice President for DuPont Performance Materials, and Ted Becker, Managing Partner of Stewart-Becker Properties.

“If you’ve never given to United Way, this is your chance to be a real hero in your community,” Gulyas said as she reminded the crowd about the ease of payroll deductions to support community needs. “If you get paid 26 times per year, just one dollar per pay period can mean eight meals delivered to a homebound senior. Ten dollars per pay would mean three months of mentoring to help a young person stay on a positive path.”

About United Way of Delaware

United Way of Delaware’s mission is to maximize the community’s resources to improve the quality of life for all Delawareans. United Way of Delaware (UWD) works to advance the common good by focusing on the three building blocks to a good life: education, income and health. UWD is engaged in a long-term strategy to eliminate the root causes of Delaware’s most pressing social problems in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. UWD works collectively with business, government, social service agencies, academic groups, community organizations, and concerned citizens to effect positive, long-lasting solutions for today and into the future. For more information, to make a contribution, or to volunteer to work with UWD, please visit www.uwde.org or call (302) 573-3700.

This year’s goal is $20.5 million dollars. They can only reach that goal with your help. Give your donations, your time and your heart to those in need. The blessings you will receive will be multiplied over and over. The basis of spirituality is in the understanding that we are blessed with gifts and talents that we need to share. We are not islands on this earth. We are mountains and forests! Shine forth your light and bring joy to your friends and neighbors. Give the United Way!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Giving Thanks

In the spirit of this Easter holiday and the Golden Rule, I would like to recognize and give thanks to certain individuals in my community who have dedicated their lives to making a better life for others. Following, are individuals who have a burning desire and definiteness of purpose to serve their community with passion and faith. Their individual missions have influenced many other lives through their positive example.

Pastor Dr. Christopher Curry – I was retained by Dr. Curry to design the website for his church, Ezion Fair Baptist Church in Wilmington, DE. During the course of two months I was blessed with the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and giving man. I observed the willingness and action of his church to feed the community with physical and spiritual sustenance. The joy and happiness of his congregation was bestowed on my fiancée Elizabeth Sutor and me when I came to videotape his service one Sunday morning. I was truly blessed watching this man preach. His passion and fire for God is unique. He has been preaching and helping his community since he was 8 years old! To find out more visit the EFBC website.

Justen Wright, City Councilman at Large – I was retained by Justen Wright to design his website during his campaign for City Council. Justen made me aware of the pressing issues in Wilmington concerning our youth, seniors and neighborhoods. He won his council seat at age 25 and has a bright future ahead. His dedication at his age to his community is unparalleled. Justen and his family runs the House of Wright Mortuary in Wilmington, DE. To find out more about Justen, visit his website or his business website.

Pastor Dr. Benjamin “Twin B.” Brown – I have been aware of Dr. Brown’s Spiritual Revival Hour program on Local Comcast Channel 28 for some time. This program has been alive for over 46 years! I was recently introduced to Dr. Brown and have made several appearances on his program. His dedication and service to the Wilmington community and their youth is extraordinary. He has conducted free video workshops for inner city youths for many years. His motto is “Making the Positive Outshine the Negative.” I have recently joined forces with Dr. Brown by designing Wilmington’s first Web TV Station called Channel CCC. Community programs are being run 24/7 and can be viewed at CCC Media TV.

Earl Woodlen – Earl runs the Harriet Tubman Safe House on the East Side of Wilmington. Many prisoners when released from prison haven’t anywhere to go. Earl provides a safe haven where these former prisoners can be integrated back into society. I met Earl at a Mastermind Group discussing “The Secret” hosted by Sue Davis, Nancy Lopez and Mitch Dugan. His energy and passion to help those who have paid their debt to society is very stimulating. Earl has spent most of his own money on providing a safe house for those in need. To learn more about Earl and the Harriet Tubman Safe House visit their website.

Tammy Curry, Life Success Consultant – Tammy Curry is Dr. Curry’s sister. She had contacted me after I designed the website for her brother’s church. I invited Tammy to “The Secret” Mastermind Group and she volunteered to teach the group the 8 week course of Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich.” Her focused insight into the teachings and inner passion about manifesting your dreams are most refreshing. Her personal story of rags to riches inspires the group at every meeting. Her lofty, yet reachable goals have awakened our group to the possibilities we all have. Tammy has volunteered to teach the men at the Harriet Tubman Safe House about “The Secret” and “Think and Grow Rich.” For more info on Tammy Curry, please go to her website.

The individuals listed above are some of the movers and shakers in the Wilmington community that, as Dr. Brown says are “making the positive outshine the negative.” If you know of others who have dedicated their lives to positively affecting our community, please contact me by email and I will be glad to interview them and feature them in upcoming articles. Being spiritual is not just about praying and meditating, it is also positively affecting and serving your community with the blessings you have received.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com.