Here is an interview with Jim.
1. How long have you been giving to United Way?
In 1964 as an Ingham County (Michigan) Deputy Sheriff I began giving through the Michigan State University campaign.
2. Why is United Way of Pinal County your choice of charities?
The Pinal County United Way is an effective umbrella organization serving numerous more specialized service groups. It is large enough to provide sustained service to significant numbers of constituents and small enough to quickly focus on new issues facing our community.
3. What is your passion for giving to United Way?
Forty-one years ago as a young Detroit police officer I was dispatched late one night to an inner city address to "see what the trouble is". On arrival I found a single mother on a makeshift bed in a two room cold water apartment. She was in distress from a gaping and infected wound from ankle to knee on one leg. Attending her was her eleven year old son who had a neighbor call police when his mother could not stop crying. He explained that his mother's wound had started small and grown with the infection. She had been released earlier that day from the city's Detroit Receiving Hospital after being given pain medication and cab fare home. The hospital would not readmit. The mother was new to the area and without local friends or relatives. In those days there was no EMS, urgent care or 911. Detroit did not have city ambulances. Emergency transport was by police patrol station wagons with collapsible stretchers in the back. Inner city activism was political rather than medical. The inner city social services agency of last resort was the police department. Other than engaging the neighbor to look in occasionally, we had nothing more to offer. That experience years ago has made me very supportive of "safety net" organizations. In Pinal County, that safety net organization is the United Way.
4. How would you encourage others to be leadership givers?
While a little guilt may be stabilizing for the soul, that should not be the prime motivator for United Way giving. Get involved. Volunteer first. Make the giving a supplement to personally being part of the solution. Pinal County runs on volunteers. Start with a small commitment of time. The giving of time and money is infectious. Try it and see.
5. What impacts in our community have you seen because of United Way?
Through the United Way we have families without resources for food eating meals. Families and individuals without shelter for a variety of reasons can sleep in security out of the weather. The issues of drug and alcohol abuse are addressed through both education and treatment. The health of a community can be gauged by its volunteerism. By this measurement Pinal County is rich beyond belief. The United Way of Pinal County is the catalyst for this wealth.
