What’s your “why”? Why do you invest both time and through monetary donations to UWNEMN?
Truly this is hands down the best charitable organization in northern Minnesota. It may be a bold statement, but the impact that the organization has throughout our communities is overwhelming. I wish everyone could truly understand what this organization does at its core and that 99% of the money stays local. There is such a misconception by too many people of how the money is spent.
What do you most enjoy about serving on the UWNEMN board?
There are two programs that are dear to my heart: Buddy Backpacks and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. I so value the impact of Buddy Backpacks. Thinking about any child going hungry is like, “WOW,” in such a bad way to me. I couldn’t even get past the hunger part in my mind for a long time. It made me realize how adversely hunger affects a child’s ability to learn, which leads me into my second favorite program, Imagination Library. Giving a free book each month to children from birth through five years of age is incredibly important for reading comprehension and learning in general. I saw the positive impact of books on my daughter at a very early age. Literate children have such an advantage in this world, and if we can help then I am all for it.
What accomplishment of UWNEMN are you most proud of during your board tenure?
Being part of expanding into our new facility in 2018. Some may see it as just a building, but it is the epicenter of UWNEMN and where all the ideas come to life. Our board, staff, and volunteers play such an important part in that. I’m not trying to be corny, but if anyone has been to a Buddy Backpacks packing session in the facility, they would see that the building really comes to life!
What’s one positive change you’d like to see or help UWNEMN make in our region?
Truthfully, I just want to see the organization do more of what it is currently doing – I believe our current focus areas are impactful. I would like us to be able to drive more funding to both our partner agencies and our own programs. In order to accomplish this, we need to be both creative at fundraising and have the ability to promote our brand and our product to local donors and volunteers.
Jim Skalski is the Chief Financial Officer of Iracore and has served on UWNEMN’s Board of Directors for 11 years.