"I Don't Just Wear the Shirt, I Live It!" Why Jerome Ferson is a Leadership Giver.

Jerome is the publisher of The Ledger and the 2010-2011 Campaign Chair. Jerome, his wife, RaNae, and their two daughters have been Leadership Givers since they moved here from South Dakota in 2007.

The famous playwright George Bernard Shaw once said, “The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that’s the essence of inhumanity.”

United Way is an essential organization that contributes to the overall health of our community, with far-reaching consequences. The needs throughout our community are great, and with recent economic challenges the needs have only increased.

RaNae, our daughters and I are blessed in so many ways. We believe in giving back, to be in the arena -- so to speak -- and not on the sidelines, to actively help those less fortunate and to “Live United.” Being Leadership Givers is one of the ways we live out this value.

The United Way plays three key functions for us:

• First, they make it efficient for us to give throughout the year by collecting our contributions through a routine payroll deduction and then dispersing those funds to supported programs. This enables us to focus our time and energies volunteering and looking for other ways to make a difference.

• Second, our local United Way evaluates our community. It identifies the most pressing and persistent needs and then sets out to address those issues. In most cases, that means working with other non-profits/partner agencies and, in a few select cases, it means developing an internal program, such as “2-1-1” or the “Let’s Grow” initiative.

• Lastly, as a result of the community impact team’s rigorous review process, it provides us with peace of mind that our dollars are making the intended difference in the community. Through that process, partner program outcomes are validated, which gives us confidence the needs of the community are being addressed.

Being a Leadership Giver is very rewarding. Giving back to the community, by providing support to others in need and lending a helping hand, profoundly touches a deep part of our being. We encourage you to continue your involvement and to LIVE UNITED with us and many others throughout Central Florida.