Acting Like Champions as We Celebrate Labor Day

Photo courtesy of Ron Klabunde.

By Mark Gunderman, Sterling Park

In celebration of the Labor Day weekend, I am providing some insight for Americans to continue our volunteer efforts where we can have direct impact on supporting the local community living in need. Volunteering locally is a pleasing and rewarding way to learn new skills and enjoy meeting innovative people and organizations. It is also a great opportunity for us to use our knowledge, experience and abilities to enhance non-profits, school programs and civic organizations.

The ranks of America’s poor have climbed to levels unseen in nearly half a century, erasing gains to alleviate poverty in the 1960s amid a weak economy and fraying government safety net. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2012 Report, 46.5 million Americans are currently living in poverty or around 15% of the population. Poverty is continuing across many groups, from underemployed workers and suburban families to the poorest poor. More discouraged workers are giving up on the job market, leaving them vulnerable as government aid begins to run out. Feeding America’s “map the meal gap” analysis, which highlights food insecurity cites Loudoun County as one of the highest median household incomes in the nation, yet nearly 17,000 (5%) of its residents are food insecure. Americans are now becoming accustomed to the new norm of living hand to mouth. Family income has not significantly changed lately but taking a wider view reveals a larger problem: income has tumbled since the recession hit and is still 8.3% below where it was in 2007. Recent economic growth hasn’t really reached working class Americans.

Based on published reports of these survey findings in every media network, folks are more conscious than ever about the issues and concerns for addressing poverty. Northern Virginia is an affluent community and the majority of us have privileged lives. Historically Northern Virginia has a strong and proud tradition of volunteerism and we are driven by a common desire to improve the communities where we live and work by forming lasting volunteer partnerships with local organizations. Through a commitment to service excellence we touch the lives of many people and promote hope and goodwill. We are involved in many community outreach projects that directly support our neighborhoods. These initiatives focus on civic opportunities, education, environment, safety and security and people living in need. We are tutors, mentors, classroom speakers, fund-raisers, board members and food drive organizers, among many other roles.

In Northern Virginia, we must be the ones to volunteer our time and resources. We can act as champions in our respective communities, using our own job related skills (i.e. program management, business development, sales and services, software and system engineering) to work with organizations that interweave community obligations with the desire to uplift and support those living in need.

The pressure of a growing population with tremendous cultural diversity challenges our community leaders. Our government infrastructure, churches, civic organizations and corporations need to work in unison to make certain that there is funding and programs in place to assure that no children go without attending school, receiving regular meals or wearing proper clothing and shoes. Let no family, regardless of any situation, go without shelter and be humbled beyond repair. In this way there is always a focus on achieving the common good for the entire community.

Mark Gunderman

Sterling Park