Question: Ever wonder how a donation you give to United Way of Adams County gets to someone in need?

Answer: A person just like you volunteers their time to do the research and make a decision.

These volunteers are members of United Way’s Resource Investment Committee. Blessing Health System has four employees who serve on the committee: Laurie Jansen of Care Coordination, Deb Derhake of the Blessing Diabetes Center, and Debbie Giesing and Julie Dietrich of Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences.

“The Resource Investment Committee is the voice of United Way donors,” Julie Dietrich said. “All of the volunteers bring different perspectives to the table. Our family, environment and work experiences help us determine how the funds will be allocated to the programs and agencies in our community. Resource investment volunteers ensure the campaign dollars are invested wisely.”

The work done by Resource Investment Committee volunteers is extensive. The volunteers complete a one-hour orientation, are appointed to the education, finance or health subcommittee, are assigned a number of agency visits based on their subcommittee, review each agency’s funding application before the visit and attend the agency visit where an hour-long presentation is made followed by questions and answers. After all visits are completed, volunteers attend a final funding allocation meeting to determine how to meet each agencies request based on campaign dollars available.

Often, agencies will have clients speak during the presentation.

“I enjoy hearing the stories of the people using the services,” Debbie Giesing said. “I also like seeing the passion in the people who work in these agencies.”

“It’s been an eye-opening experience,” she added about her 10-years as a committee volunteer. “I didn’t know many of these agencies existed and how many of them work together to support all different needs within the community.”

For these volunteers the hours they give are investments in their community.

“As a nurse, I see every day how the United Way improves the lives of my patients and their families,” said Laurie Jansen.

“It is an honor and privilege to serve such a wonderful organization that impacts so many.” Deb Derhake concluded.