Why we show up
By Sherry Ristau / President & CEO
How do we want to show up for each other?
As both sides of our river town look to reopen and continue to address the long-term impacts of this pandemic, the “how” looks different than it did two months ago—even two weeks ago. The “why,” however, has not changed. In fact, it is what we are unified in. It is what we have in common.
Local and regional leaders are as unified as ever in our regional vision of a Quad Cities that can adapt and adjust to this new world. Each of us—local nonprofit leaders, government officials, business owners, and everyday Quad Citizens—care deeply about our home. We want to see all people thrive economically and socially. Many in our community are vulnerable right now after months of isolation from family and friends, lost jobs and incomes, and an uncertain future.
The “why” of why we show up represents the very best of Quad Citizens, as we bring the very best of ourselves each day so we can be helpful, generous, supportive, and strong.
And boy, do you continue to show up—from your homes, and from the frontlines. You do it for your families. For your neighbors. For the health and wellbeing of others. You do it for your community.
For the more than 1,000 donors who have helped the community reach more $1.15 million in contributions of all sizes to the Quad Cities Disaster Recovery Fund, you tell us it is because you care for those who right now are having a tough time.
These actions—this generosity—is simply incredible. We also cannot rest. Families and nonprofits, businesses and governments, will continue to be faced with mounting pressures to both provide immediate support now and also turn to the long-term impacts of the pandemic. Our community will continue to be asked to serve on the frontlines, adapt in real-time to critical needs, and also lean into meaningful opportunities and learning from this COVID-19 experience.
Today, I want you to know that at the Quad Cities Community Foundation, we are energized in new ways by our community and donors. These days, I’m doing something I don’t usually get to do: take care of the Community Foundation’s mail and make sure each check that arrives is deposited at the bank. This includes envelopes filled with donations to the Quad Cities Disaster Recovery Fund. Some include handwritten notes that spark my hope and confidence in the people of the Quad Cities.
Recently, I laid all of the notes on a table: pink post-it notes and cards with kittens on them, recipe pads, and torn sheets from notebooks. The notes represent a snapshot of our community—a collage of the very best of who we are and who we will continue to be in the months and years ahead.
Each note renews my “why.” I hope this note renews yours.