#liveunited

[richdifeo]

[craigwilliamjohnston]

Live United . Appalachian trail, Mt Salem NJ . . #makeportraits #monochrome #monochromatic #artistsoninstagram #appalachiantrail #thruhiker #triplecrownthruhiker #hikertrash #photographer #liveunited #people #community #nikonphotography #portraits #craigwilliamjohnston #photooftheday #blackandwhite #portrait #faces #film (at Mount Salem, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/BygQYCVlxg6/?igshid=4sjnqi3ys6k9

[cigars-and-guns]

May 11th‼️ Come shoot and enjoy the highly rated cigars from @unitedcigars at a REAL RANGE (not one of those up-tight indoor ranges) Bring your firearm and ammo and we will supply a private venue, steel and paper targets, cigars, and memories. You will have access to numerous steel targets of multiple sizes and shapes depending on your expertise and shooting ability! Link in our Bio! #cigarsandguns #kranzftg #liveunited #smokeunited (at Prosper, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvhwnH4Dp-E/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qbsm4urui1s4

[norfolksouthern]

Norfolk Southern was a proud sponsor of today’s Women’s United - Stone Soup Event for United Way of South Hampton Roads. Norfolk Southern employees and their families helped to prepare 400 casseroles and 1,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that will be served to 13 local shelters and soup kitchens in the Hampton Roads area. It’s amazing what can happen when we all #LIVEUNITED! #stonesoupshr (at Salvation Army Kroc Community Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtZ51jgHP_9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=vlmmbpi7w74r

[anyaayoungchee]

#NoGreaterTime is by far one of most exhilarating projects I’ve ever been a part of. No one could have explained to me the joy of creating something with so much pure purpose, and nothing comes close to seeing so many beautiful hearts come together to make something purely out of love. . Join us next Sunday, November 26th, at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, for the first ever LIVE performance of the song, #NoGreaterTime. . With performances by @kesthebandofficial @wearefreetown @collisduranty @iisasha #Tambu @2centsmovement & more! . Tickets $200TT Available now at SunTixx.com . Follow @togetherwi_ for more info. Go to link in bio to learn more about #NoGreaterTime . #NoGreaterTime #TogetherWI #LiveUNITED #UnitedWayTT (at Hyatt Regency Trinidad)

[dave-cobb]

CONNECTION

Sometimes when life seems like the worst (like this week of doozies), you’re reminded in simple ways that some people *do* believe we’re all in this together.

As I boarded my flight home from DC, my seat-mate approached and started some friendly chit-chat as we got settled. A suburban surfer dad from San Diego named Mark, married with kids, former Naval officer, local city councilman, works as a consultant for the government, travels to DC a lot – a super nice, laid back SoCal fella.

He asks what I was doing in DC, we talk a bit about the travel and work I do in the Middle East. He’s equally well-traveled and we compare notes on food, souks, tourist stuff and the like. He mentions his wife often accompanies him on business trips, and I mention the same about my husband; he doesn’t blink and the conversation resumes.

Behind us, a Jordanian couple with their three kids overhears me talking about my Middle East travels. They excitedly ask me about what I liked (everywhere I’ve been has been amazing) and how did I like the hospitality (always awesome). We all chat a bit before takeoff. It’s a nice, genuine moment.

For the rest of the flight, Mark and I alternate between watching TV and chatting – commiserating on 45’s awfulness, talking about how our travel experiences have shaped our (proud liberal snowflake) worldview. He asks if I have kids, and I glowingly tell him about the exploits of my nieces and nephews, and my role as their doting “Gunkle”.

“They’re lucky kids. My Uncle Bob and Uncle Jack basically raised me,” explaining he had a single mom and an absent father and that his gay uncles were his default father figures. He said it so matter-of-fact, it put a lump in my throat. We bonded even more about divorce, and single parents, and creating your own family.

The plane landed, the Jordanian dad gave me his business card and told me to drop him a line next time I’m in Abu Dhabi. As we deplaned into the terminal, I handed my card and offered a handshake to Mark, thanking him for the lovely conversation – and he pulled me into a big hug, offering his own thanks, and saying it’s stuff like this that “renews his faith in humanity.” Me too, I smiled. And I meant it. We both needed it.

Out on the curb, I call for my Lyft; when the driver arrives, I check the app. “Michelle, right?” She smiles and cheekily corrects me, “it’s Mee-shell, the Brazilian pronunciation.” I get in the car and respond by singing “Mee-shell, my belle… blah blah blah blah blah blah something in French, something in French…”

She giggles. I immediately flash on my father, who always (*always*) used to sing-greet someone if they were named after a song. Charmed the birds out of the trees, that guy – and I silently thank him for instilling in me the same instinct to always show kindness and friendliness to strangers.

I softly begin to weep in the back seat on my ride home – my heart heavy thinking of dad, hoping he would be proud of me, and worrying how the weight of the world right now is so achingly heavy.

For a few hours during my trip, all that weight was washed away by kindness and humanity and connection. I’m truly lucky and privileged to do the traveling I do, and to be given the gift of connections like these.

We’ll get through this, but only together.

[cigars-and-guns]

San Antonio! This is a must attend meet and greet with Oliver of @unitedcigars! Make it over to @club_humidorsa and experience the Atabey! #cigarsandguns #liveunited #smokeunited (at San Antonio, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwDF4uujgKUEE8EYypMpqmm1WBWqBJ6ElZtAN80/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=pfz1piwsewu3

[meganmazurek]

Collecting Donations for the Washtenaw County Community Baby Shower

Did you know that in Washtenaw County, 1 in 3 families struggle to meet the basic needs of their household?  No one should have to choose between putting food on the table or purchasing diapers for their baby!

The Community Baby Shower is an annual donation drive organized by the United Way of Washtenaw County Emerging Philanthropists throughout the month of May. Donations will be delivered to Destiny and Purpose Community Outreach (DAPCO), SOS Community Services, and Saline Area Social Service.

The following items are greatly needed:

Formula

Diapers

Strollers

Wipes

Blankets

Baby Food

Baby Gates

Pacifiers

Pull-ups

Baby Clothes

Health care items

Bottles

Digital Thermometers

Potty Chairs

DONATE ONLINE

Donate online by visiting our Target registry or Amazon registry. You can have donations sent directly to the United Way of Washtenaw County - 2305 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor.

DONATE IN PERSON

Drop off your donation anytime Monday through Friday (9am - 5pm) at the Bank Michigan branch on Eisenhower Pkwy, any Old National Bank or Reinhart Realtors location, or on the 1st floor of Washtenaw Community College's Student Welcome Center.

Please let me know if you have any items you would like to donate. I would be happy to pick them up from you!