A nonprofit organization is only as strong as its volunteer leadership. We are proud to have the support of an outstanding board of directors, stewards truly committed to improving lives of poor and vulnerable people across central Maryland. The same can be said of our six volunteer partnership boards (one in the city and in each of the surrounding counties), which have embraced their expanded roles and responsibilities with zeal. Our campaign leadership team, headed by Mayo and Molly Shattuck, has been tireless in its efforts this year. Volunteer experts also devoted extraordinary efforts, serving on a host of programmatic, finance, planning and development committees.

We were also blessed in 2011 to have more than a thousand volunteers -- individuals, groups and families -- helping their neighbors in the community under the United Way banner. They performed countless acts of kindness and mercy, such as harvesting tons of beans and potatoes at local farms for the poor; making casseroles and sandwiches for soup kitchens; conducting healthy food drives in schools; filling and distributing book bags in the fall; engaging at-risk youth in after-school programs; refurbishing and outfitting Head Start classrooms; and distributing 2,500 Thanksgiving dinners, a record for UWCM’s annual Harvest of Plenty program. And I will never forget the inspiring work of our Women’s Leadership Council that was devoted to help 13 formerly homeless women move with dignity into their own affordable permanent residences in Arbutus.

I cannot finish the year without recognizing the wonderfully talented team here at United Way of Central Maryland. Our staff demonstrate extraordinary commitment, compassion and sacrifice, so often in quiet ways that most others will never know.

As the year comes to a close, I am reminded that who we are thankful for is every bit as important as what we are thankful for.

Thank you! Peace to all.