Volunteer Spotlight: Cynthia Hemeon-Plessner

Cynthia Hemeon-Plessner, SVP & Chief Marketing & Experience Officer at Meredith Village Savings Bank, has been involved with the Granite United Way for several years, serving in various volunteer roles including Community Impact Committee. Cindy shares her insights on the importance of giving back to her community through volunteerism. 

When were you introduced to Granite United Way?

I began volunteering with the United Way in my twenties while teaching in Los Angeles for Teach for America. I was impressed by the organization's impact on the community. Upon returning to my hometown in New Hampshire, I immediately connected with the local United Way. I initially participated in the Day of Caring, and eventually co-chaired the event. Since then, I have been involved with the Granite United Way in various capacities, including serving on the Community Impact Committee and undertaking other day-to-day volunteer tasks. It's been a truly rewarding experience.

Why have you supported United Way for so long?

One of the most engaging aspects of United Way, particularly the Granite United Way, is its ability to introduce me to previously unknown nonprofits and people in my community. These individuals are incredible movers and shakers. Supporting United Way, grants me a unique opportunity not only to benefit others and various nonprofits, but also to learn and connect with people in the process.

Why do you donate to Granite United Way?

I began donating to United Way in my twenties when I first learned about it and I continue to contribute because I'm fortunate enough to be able to do so, and I'm always eager to support my community. Having served on the Community Impact Committee, I'm confident that a group of knowledgeable individuals, closely connected with the community, are making wise decisions about how my donations are used and I know that my contributions are bringing the most value to our community. 

Why is it important to give back to the community you live and work in?

Giving back to your community is so important. Whether you donate your time or your dollars, your can help support causes that impact our most needy populations including our youth and our elders. Not only does giving back enhance my personal life, but it also benefits those around me. This is the kind of community I want to live in, and contributing to it is my responsibility.

When did you join Granite United Way’s Community Impact Committee and why?

Granite United Way's Community Impact Committee is comprised of individuals from our community with diverse expertise. Some members are healthcare experts, some work in banking like myself, and others are involved with nonprofits. I joined the Community Impact Committee over a decade ago because I wanted to better understand the various needs of my community and the organizations that work to address these needs. It was a wonderful experience and I was genuinely saddened when my term ended last year, but I'm eager to continue supporting Granite United Way in any way I can.

What does the role of a Community Impact Committee Member entail?

When you donate to Granite United Way you can restrict your gift to be given to a specific nonprofit or you can make an unrestricted gift. When you make an unrestricted donation, the Community Impact Committee's role is to determine how those dollars can best impact our community. This involves carefully reviewing grants and engaging in thoughtful, sometimes vigorous, discussions about the best ways to distribute these dollars within our community. Over time, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the community's evolving needs. The issues we prioritized when I first joined were different from those we focused on in my final year. 

Why is it important to make unrestricted donations?

When you make an unrestricted donation to United Way, there's a group of community experts who work tirelessly to ensure your donation meets the most pressing needs that year.  Over my time on the committee, I've witnessed how these needs can change dramatically. One year, the focus might be on addressing a childcare shortage in a particular part of our state; the next, it could shift to homelessness or subbstance misuse. Undesignated donations ensure that the most crucial community needs are met without you having to decide every single year.

What do you enjoy most about your time volunteering on Granite United Way’s Community Impact Committee?

The best part of volunteering for any organization, and this is definitely true for Granite United Way, is the people. I have made close relationships with several people that I probably never would have met otherwise. It's a really fun experience but this isn't always easy work. You're having to make some really important decisions about who gets ffunded and who doesn't and why. So it's really important to enjoy not only the process but the people that you're doing that with.

Why should others consider volunteering as a Community Impact Committee volunteer?

My time as part of Granite United Way Community Impact Committee has been so rewarding. It has introduced me to wonderful people who have enriched my life. Through this committee, I've gained deep insights into various nonprofits that cater to our community's most pressing needs. Surprisingly, I discovered a personal passion: reviewing grants and helping decide where the funding should go. It might sound tedious at first, but it is a fulfilling way to contribute significantly to my community. Being on the Community Impact Committee is about making a difference and connecting with your community in a meaningful way so I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't want to join.

What does Granite United Way mean to you?

Granite United Way is exactly what it sounds like. Granite, meaning the Granite State - the amalgamation of what you were once upon a time - of a bunch of smaller United Ways that have joined together to create a more powerful unit. United means that people can all work together and we all know that when you work together, you can come up with a better solution than each one of us individually, and you can have conversations about what's most important and why. Granite United Way is representative of so much of what is our community, people being really engaged and caring about each other.