United Way kicks off 2014 campaign with motivational speech

The United Way of Hall County kicked off its 2014 annual campaign with an inspirational message that one person doing good work can change the community.<br /> <br /> Motivational speaker John O'Leary urged a crowd of about 300 people to focus not on what's wrong with their lives, but on what's right. Life, he said, can change in a moment. But having people around who want better for their communities can make a significant impact on people.<br /> <br /> "To be loved up by the community can change your world," O'Leary said. <br /> <br /> Acknowledging the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America, O'Leary reminded the crowd that everyone's life changed that day.<br /> <br /> "At 8:45 that morning, life was perfect. Then the clock ticked."<br /> <br /> When O'Leary was 9 years old, he was playing with fire and gasoline, which caused an explosion and fire that burned him over 100 percent of his body. He was given only a one percent chance of living.<br /> <br /> "The person the thing happens do isn't the only one whose life changes. My parents, my brothers and sisters, my grandparents. Their lives changed, too. But what was remarkable was how they all united and lifted each other up. It was a great reminder that we are all busy, but life is not all about you."<br /> <br /> While he was lying near death in a hospital bed, he began a lifelong friendship with an unlikely source. Jack Buck, the legendary radio announcer for the St. Louis Cardinals, heard about the fire and visited O'Leary in the hospital. He visited him every day for the next five months, and then encouraged O'Leary through his recovery. Buck even arranged for a John O'Leary Day at Busch Stadium, where the Cardinals play.<br /> <br /> Today, O'Leary's oldest son is named Jack.<br /> <br /> It was a fitting kickoff the United Way campaign which raised money that is distributed to numerous agencies in the community to support their efforts to improve education, income and health of the community.<br /> <br /> United Way didn't announce an overall goal for the year, but did announce that $550,000 has already been raised by the Pacesetter campaign, which get several companies in town to commit to early contributions to get the annual campaign started.<br /> <br /> Campaign chairwoman Melissa Tymchuk said the work of United Way and its partner agencies make Hall County a better place to live.<br /> <br /> "We want you to look at your gift as more than just giving money to a charity," she said. "Look at it as an investment in the future of this community. We all want a return on our investments, and that return is a stronger Hall County."<br />