Not sure what Facebook is all about? In a nutshell, Facebook is a popular social-network website that enables friends and organizations to build and maintain contact with each other and ultimately, interact in novel and fun ways.

If you do have (or are now interested in starting) a Facebook account, United Way of Metro Chicago would like to invite you be part of our Facebook network. Visit our Facebook page and click “become a fan” (the link is at the top right) to join. If you are interested in Young Leaders Society, we also created a YLS Facebook page, too.

These pages are in their early stages, but we hope you’ll be a part of their development.

For the past five months, I have been lucky enough to represent the Tribune Company as a loaned executive with United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. The experience of being an LE is, as all things, what you make it to be, but I like to think that I have been surrounded with the best group of loaned executives yet. We have been like a family since our first week of training and accomplished quite a bit during our time at United Way.

The responsibilities of the loaned executive position include: administrative duties, assisting fundraising managers and even volunteering. Plenty of opportunity exists to go outside this job description, though. My colleagues have often gone above and beyond, such as giving those *ehem, cough* 4 a.m. speeches at the post offices. The LE’s also formed a fundraising committee—complete with an accountant. With our committee, were able to raise $2,300 to help make an impact in Chicagoland!

Personally, the LE program has really inspired me to become a more caring and focused person. It has also helped me to develop as a young professional. The unique position of being an LE has allowed me to work simultaneously in nonprofit and corporate environments. I was able to network with employees of my sponsor company, Tribune, as well as within quite a few other large organizations in Chicago. And with all the campaign events I have participated in or in some cases headed, I have also been able to dramatically improve my leadership, time management and organization abilities. Importantly, the United Way staff has also helped me use my newly acquired contacts and skills to plan the next step in my career.

It can be very easy to lose sight of the important parts of life; our friends and family, being a kind person and making a difference in our communities. It has been refreshing to work day after day with a group and program that reflect and cherish these ideas. Because of this, I will always appreciate my time as a loaned executive with United Way.

Chicago Bears defensive tackle Israel Idonije visited United Way African American Initiative partner Team Englewood on December 18, 2007 to share the spirit of the holidays with families who receive services from the agency. Eighty families were invited to a local church for the event, where Israel tirelessly handed out $100 Target gift cards, Gatorade towels/bottles and holiday snacks to over one hundred families.

United Way is grateful to Israel, the Israel Idonije Foundation, The Chicago Bears’ Bears Cares, and everyone who made the holidays special for the 100 families present.

Bears Coach Lovie Smith serves on the African American Initiative Senior Advisory Committee. For more information about the initiative, please visit here.

Having many teachers is beneficial. Having those teachers be business professionals in career paths you would like to follow is amazing.

More than 25 participants in the YMCA job training program spent the day with six professionals from Deloitte & Touche LLP USA who volunteered the morning of December 7, 2007 to help them practice their skills to gain employment.

Organized and hosted by United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, the program was a Day of Caring for Deloitte employees to give back to their community. The Deloitte volunteers brought breakfast for their “students,” hosted mock interviews to help participants gain confidence during the interview process, gave resume tips and facilitated a question-and-answer session led by a Deloitte employee who had previously worked in Human Resources.

“Because we have contacts at both Deloitte and the agencies we fund, United Way was proud to be able to connect the groups to bring new ideas and skills to YMCA clients,” said Brian Williams, United Way fundraising manager. “The Deloitte employees were able to share their skills with these clients who are looking to get into the job market. We are so grateful to Deloitte for giving back to the community both through volunteering and their employee campaign.”

In addition to its stellar record of volunteerism, Deloitte holds the #12 spot on the United Way list of Top 25 Corporate Citizens, as well as least year’s #2 in amount of Tocqueville Society giving.

Deloitte employees who took part in the Day of Caring included: Scott Skowronski (who led the workshop), Jason Calvario, Rebecca Bogie, Beth Memolo and Art Wong.