I give because I’ve always believed whatever part of the journey you’re on in society, you need to assist and participate in your community.”
I’m so impressed by this belief. It is so simple yet so inspiring, not to mention world changing. To assist and participate in your community — that’s all it takes to make change happen here and it’s something all of us can do.
John Crocco, Director of Education for the Niagara Catholic District School Board, is the man who made that statement and it’s a belief he has put into practice all of his life, in childhood, in his family, in church, at work and in his community.
This year John is putting that belief into practice with the United Way South Niagara, as this year’s campaign chair.
John was the Welland Chair last year, a position he accepted on the condition that his role would include an aspect of education.
That stipulation led to the creation of United Way Day across the NCDSB in April.
The education, he says, helps people understand how their donation helps, how their time can make an impact and how giving to the community can change lives.
“To me that was important,” says John, explaining the greater good of giving is education and understanding who you’re helping.
“I thoroughly enjoyed” acting as Welland Chair last year, says John, owing to the “terrific people” he’d met.
John says when the campaign was over he was asked to return as the Welland Chair, and he “absolutely” said he would.
“When you respect the work of the United Way you want to be part of that,” he says, adding retired Executive Director Peter Papp and Board President Angela Carter are inspiring in their volunteerism and make it desirable to work with them.
The feeling is mutual for those of us working with UWSN.
John is a perfect choice for us this year — with our theme being “I Give Because” we could not have asked for a better champion.
Although he is extremely busy, John has been so generous in sharing his time and ability to eloquently express his passion for the United Way!
“If you believe in the word community you need to support the community,” he says. I agree!
Giving, he adds, takes many forms.
There are those who give because they can financially, because they can volunteer, because they want to educate, because they want to give back.
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