The Part You Play (1966)

Hello, I'm EG Marshall. You know, in my time as an actor, I've played a lot of different roles. I've had big parts and small parts. But right now, I'm about to try a new role, and it may turn out to be the most important part I've ever played, at least as far as your own community is concerned. I'm going to take the part of someone who's calling on you in person on behalf of some of your neighbors, people who aren't quite as lucky perhaps as you and your family. I want to try to show you what these people mean to you, and more important, what you mean to them. In other words, I'm going to play the part of a volunteer worker for your United campaign in your own community. All right. Oh, no. First of all, as a good volunteer, I've already made my own fair share pledge. Now, let's see if I've got everything to get into character. campaign information, pledge cards, stickers, pins, and a list of people I'm going to see. Who are they? Never mind the names. They're people in this community. All kinds of people, you included. Now, where do I go? Wherever you are. How do I get there? Well, don't worry about that. In this day and age, you can get anywhere pretty fast. Well, let's start with this. When I give to the United Fund, what happens to the money? >> Okay, naturally, you want to know where your United Fund dollars go, what they do, whom they help. But the fact is that money does so much for so many, it's a little hard to know where to begin. But maybe here's a good place. This is the face of tomorrow. our kids, our hope, our future. What they become depends on primary influences of home, family, synagogue, church, and school. But they need other influences to learn how to play together and work together and get on with each other in all situations and at all ages. Your fair share helps keep these other influences going so that whatever they become, they'll be more than just craftsmen, good workers, skilled professionals. We expect more than that from our kids. We want them to become good citizens, good parents. So what can we do about it? We adults, I mean, well, a lot of people help support youth agencies by volunteering time and abilities. But all of us help with our United Campaign pledges. >> Sure. All these things for children are great. My own kids use them. But how about the other folks? The ones that already have big trouble. >> Of course, it's not just youth that benefits from your United Campaign gift. Troubles, misfortune, disease. No age has a monopoly on misery. >> Well, that's right. But give me a for instance. >> All right. Take this man, an accident victim who has the task of learning to live a productive, useful life without hands. Or this woman who won't give up though she's had a stroke. Or this young fellow or little kids like these. >> Well, look, I don't mind helping, but is there really any future for people like that? >> Of course there is. And what's more, by helping such people, we're helping our community. They don't want to become public charges. They want the dignity of being self-sufficient. We simply give them a start and they take it from there. The people who work with them look at it like this. >> The goal of the rehabilitation team is to help make emotionally and physically disabled patients as independent as they possibly can become. This takes a great deal of time and effort on the part of the patient, his family, and the therapist. This time and effort also takes a great deal of money. And this is where you can come in. Through your financial support, you can help us to help these people become independent and useful citizens once again. >> Of course, there are other kinds of disabilities, you know, other than physical ills. >> I don't follow you. What do you mean other kinds of disability? >> Okay, let me show you. >> This is where people get help when they're really at the bottom of the ladder. Those, you know, as downers. That man in there, in case you think certain people are born on the skids, was a successful businessman. His entire family was killed in an accident. Twice he tried to kill himself and twice he was brought here. Then he decided his life would mean something again if he stayed here and helped us help others. Those others could be people who don't remember who they are, families who need help in a lot of ways, and people who feel all alone with their troubles. That gives you a little idea of the Salvation Army. >> Brigadeier, >> excuse me. Individual personal disaster can strike any of us at any time, at any place, just as mass disaster can come too. Your fair share has to work to relieve the suffering left in the wake of natural catastrophe caused by fire, wind, and water, too, wherever they hit. Now, maybe you already know this, but just let me spell it out again. Those on the scene, those doing the job are the volunteer workers at the Red Cross. Whatever people need, the Red Cross will provide. Training in first aid, water safety, and all the other Red Cross services are supported by your fair share gift. >> But there's such a lot to be done. How can my little contribution be of much help? >> It isn't just your contribution. It's all the contributions together. When everybody gives his fair share, we have the means to tackle any of our problems. >> Uhhuh. But what I keep wondering is how do they decide where to spend the money so it'll do the most good? >> That's the great part. The needs of your community are determined by a committee of your own neighbors, the people who live right there and know the situation firsthand. And your fair share not only provides needed services here, it helps to carry on the work for our neighbors, friends, and youth in the military forces. The USO, for instance, is supported entirely by gifts and United Campaign Funds. It's dedicated to letting the boys out there know that we care back here. Under USO sponsorship, artists and entertainers willingly volunteer their talent to augment the regular professional unit sent to bases all over the world every week. Only those out there know what it means to hear the familiar songs and see the familiar faces of home 10,000 m away. You see what I mean about every contribution, every fair share, having a lot of work to do? >> Yes, I can see that. But here's something else. How much of the money goes to people who actually need help? And how much? >> And how much for collection costs? Well, I'm glad you asked. Collection costs are far lower when there's only one campaign for all those agencies instead of many separate campaigns. The result, a saving of campaign expenses that releases just that much more money to serve the people who need help. >> Good. I happen to think saving money is pretty important. But I'll be honest with you, I'm kind of strapped. Maybe later. >> All I'm asking from you right now is your signature on a pledge card. You spread your fair share contribution over a year's time to help supply all the needs that a year's time will bring. For instance, families in trouble who simply don't know how to cope with the problems life has dumped in their laps. One out of hundreds, a family on the verge of breaking up. Part of the problem, a four-year-old. Only a trained family counselor can help once things have reached this stage. and the family will meet with the social worker many times both in the home and at the office. >> We're always making excuses for him, but the fact is Danny can't do anything other kids can do. >> It's not Danny's fault. >> In special schools, we've been able to work wonders with the children. >> The counselor will see to it that this child will get help from the agency that can do the most for him. In that way, the main source of the family's problems can be dealt with. Your fair share helps keep up the work that's being done for children who would become hopelessly dependent if there were no one to do this work. But that's not the end of the problem for the family. With things at least under control, the family service counselor continues to work with the parents toward a better adjustment in the home. This too is part of what your fair share accomplishes. Now that Danny is responding well, we'll have to think of the kind of future he may have. I guess I get the idea. There's pretty big job to be done and we all have to chip in. But how much? You say fair share. Well, what is my fair share? >> That depends on how much you earn. Only you can say. Here's a scale of giving to go by. You give according to your ability and stretched out over a year's time, it's a lot easier. >> Okay, I'm good for my fair share. Hey, what's the matter? You look kind of nervous. >> Well, I am a little bit. Like I said, it's a brand new part for me. >> Well, I guess you get okay with me. You got the pledge. >> Yes, and that's the main thing. Thanks. So, that's the end of my part, the makeelieve part. From now on, it's for real. But in the real life department, I won't be there. A volunteer from your United campaign will take my place. But it's up to you. You're going to be the featured player in that drama. Mine has only been a supporting role, not a role that counts. So when your own local volunteer worker comes around and asks for your United campaign pledge, question him, sure, but give him a sympathetic ear. He's doing a big job. I just hope I've made it a little easier for him. A lot of people like these need a better break. Will they be helped? The answer is yes if you and all of us reach out to them with our fair share pledges.