Give an hour. Give a Saturday. Give your best. We all have special talents. Things we can do to help. And when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. Whether it's reading to children, or leading financial literacy classes for hard-working families, or delivering meals to homebound seniors, there are hundreds of volunteer options available every day. Give the gift of you. Volunteer.

My name is Susan Steenhard, I have lived in Yuma for the most part of the past 30 years. I am a wife, mother and a grandmother. Through the years I have always been very involved in volunteering with various agencies in Yuma.

A few years ago I became a United Way Board Member. Being involved with one agency (United Way) that helps so many other agencies that, in turn, help so many members of our community was more than I could resist. I am so glad I made the choice to apply for Board Membership and now sit on the Executive Board. I truly feel that the United Way of Yuma County makes a real positive impact on all of the local people through the many agencies we partner with in Yuma.

I am also the Chair of a new United Way fundraiser, "The Murder Mystery Dinner Theater". The Board was looking for new fundraisers and visibility in the community. I'd been to a Murder Mystery before and enjoyed it tremendously. As of last January this is a new event for United Way to be a part of the community, raise money and have fun doing it. Our 2nd Murder Mystery is September 20th. We have a local restaurant providing food, a local high school drama club providing the acting and a local photographer to capture it. Promoting our local people when we can, no matter how big or small, is important to us.

I encourage each member of our community to take an interest in United Way and have them ask what they could do to help. They could become a board member, tell others about the positive impact United Way has on our community and/or give financially to United Way and encourage others to do the same. This is the way I "Live United".

My name is Teri Norris. I've been with Yuma Regional Medical Center 7 1/2 years - in fact the reason my husband, daughter and I moved to Yuma was because of YRMC. I was amazed at the amount of volunteer time and dollars that YRMC employees give to the Yuma community and United Way. YRMC employees have been contributing to United Way for more than 20 years! Over the years YRMC employees have held silent auctions, sold raffle tickets for "Reserved United Way" premier parking, sold valentines grams, sold 50/50 raffles during football season, and the list goes on in an effort to increase our organizational contribution to United Way. YRMC employees LIVE UNITED every day!

I was not involved in United Way until coming to Yuma. Initially, I was one of the individuals who saw value in supporting United Way through payroll deduction. I was able to see United Way funds at work as a Yuma Area Girl Scout leader, as the Rio Colorado Neighborhood of Girl Scouts received funding from United Way.

In 2007 I became a Board Member for United Way and in 2008 I served on the Allocations Committee as well as became the first Planned Giving Coordinator - what I have learned about how United Way helps the Yuma community is tremendous. I am no longer willing to be a supporter only through a payroll deduction. I am LIVING UNITED!