Historical Video: William Whipple, Louise Knapp and William Quarton Talk About United Way Impact
United Way, 2004
William Whipple, Louise Knapp and William Quarton in this 2004 video talk about United Way and the impact the organization has in the community.
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William Whipple, United Way Volunteer:
“I started a business in 1935. I am very interested in all activities that would help the community. It has just been my nature to be interested in that. I was recruited by someone to help raise money for the United Way, which was known then as the Cedar Rapids Community Chest. And I remember very well the goal was $250,000, and I guess maybe that was just as difficult to raise in those days as the goal is today.”
Louise Knapp, United Way Volunteer:
“My dad, John B. Northcott, was born in 1884 in Beebe, Indiana. He ran the Community Chest for nine different campaigns, and they raised over $800,000.
William Quarton, United Way Volunteer:
“One of the reasons I like United Way is that it’s general and if you’re going to give, and you’re not an expert in giving, this is a good place to put it. You’ve got some good people running it that know what they’re doing, and you’re busy in your business and you want to still give to the community, this is it.”
William Whipple:
“Giving is a very difficult thing and to select individual organizations on your own, you can make all kinds of errors and mistakes, and have volunteers, people interested in the same ideas, is just wonderful to have that work done for me.”
Louise Knapp:
“My father believed that everybody should be committed to helping the people that were in need. The Community Chest was one way of covering some of the needs of people in the community that had no other way to be cared for.”
William Quarton:
“This is one way that you can put your money in professional hands and feel that they’re doing something that’s needed in the community and in the future too. What the need is in twenty years nobody knows and they do.”
Louise Knapp:
“I think that we are very blessed in this community to have a community that does as well as it does living up to the responsibilities of looking after people.”
William Whipple:
“I think Cedar Rapids is one of the most giving communities of any that I have ever known and that’s what makes me very happy to be here. Giving is almost a religious experience. I get a feeling of happiness that, I really, I have not gotten in any other way. And I can’t explain it but it seems to me, the more I’m able to give, the more is given to me.”
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