United Way of Hall County is synonymous with action. Our mission is to unite people, organizations, and resources to improve lives in Hall County.

To fulfill that mission requires that we take action every day. For the past 63 years, United Way of Hall County has taken action to encourage our community to give, advocate, and volunteer. And our community has responded to that mission.

Most of us would say that we have a good life. When you reflect on what makes your life good, I think you would agree that the basic components are education, income and health. United Way believes this, too, and that's why our work is focused in those areas.

We envision that all Hall County children and youth enter school ready to learn, graduate on time and are prepared for the next step in their future. We envision that all individuals and families will have the skills and resources to be self-sufficient and healthy. We envision that our residents will have support in times of crisis. When we take action to reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all.

Our community believes in giving to benefit all who call Hall County home. A gift to United Way's Annual Campaign is the first commitment to taking action. This summer, our United Way volunteer Campaign Cabinet team has taken steps and has already been hard at work to ensure our monetary campaign is a success. They set an aggressive monetary goal of $1.8 million and have already achieved 25 percent of that through the efforts of our Cornerstone Campaign companies. These companies run an early campaign to lead the way in giving for the campaign.

In addition to the very important and necessary giving of financial resources, we challenge Hall County to take simple steps that will make a difference to a friend or neighbor. How can you help? How can you take action? To begin, watch our video on the front page of our website. See examples of ways we can all do simple things that will have a great impact.

For instance, by bringing your lunch to work once a week and donating the money you save, you can help provide healthy snacks for kids in an after-school program. Or by donating a pint of blood, you can save the life of an accident victim.

We ask you to do more than just believe in a better community. Take action and be a part of the change. You can give, you can advocate and you can volunteer. That's what it means to Live United.

Share the video with your friends and neighbors, share it in the break room at work, show it to your family — challenge those around you to join you and take action, too. The life that's improved the most will be your own.

Thank you, Hall County.

Jackie Wallace is president of the United Way of Hall County.