“What I’ve learned through United Way and what keeps me engaged in our shared work is that we have what it takes. Time and time again, if we come to the table with this mindset of ‘what would it take,’ incredible things happen, despite challenges.”

 

Last night Amy Carmola, who is celebrating her 20^th anniversary at United Way of Northwest Vermont this year, received the Community Impact Award at Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony.

The Community Impact Award is presented to a business, organization, or individual that has contributed time, skills and resources to enhance the quality of life of the Lake Champlain region.

Amy’s remarks reminded our community of our collective power to create change. As United Way’s Chief Impact Officer, Amy’s role has allowed her the privilege of working with incredible partners to better understand and respond to our community’s greatest challenges – from homelessness to hunger to mental health and substance misuse crises. These are problems that no individual or organization can solve alone. It takes all of us coming together.

“It’s hard. But I get to see people do hard things every day,” Amy said. “I know that right now many people and organizations and communities are under great strain and are stretched thin.  Each of us can only do what we can. But together, we have what it takes. I can see it and I hope you can too.”

We are thrilled to see Amy receive well-deserved recognition of her work bringing people together to improve lives in Northwest Vermont. And we are inspired by her words and share her unwavering confidence in the ability of our community to help each other no matter what it takes.