Guest blogger Janey Greenstein volunteers with United Way on the Emerging Leaders Marketing Committee. Janey is a marketing analyst at Alvarez & Marsal, where she supports the company’s social sector consulting team.

As a Seattle native, I’ve been to countless Mariners baseball games over the years. And while I always enjoy watching the game, I think it’s the contagious energy and the sense of local pride that continue to draw me back to the ballpark. Well, that and the stadium garlic fries.

This past Saturday, I experienced Safeco Field in an entirely new way as a volunteer for the 2015 All-Star Softball Classic. What an incredible feeling to see over 5,000 fans come together to support King County’s youth and young adults.

Between the rainbow “Live United” tees (hot off the press!) and the exciting line-up of local celebrities, I’ve never been prouder to call King County my home.

The All-Star Softball Classic was a great opportunity to see the United Way mission in action. During the event, I worked alongside the UWKC staff members who execute that mission on a daily basis. I heard from sponsors like Jeff and Tricia Raikes who make United Way’s work possible. I connected with other young professionals at the Party in the ‘Pen. It’s not often you see a favorite author (Garth Stein) team up with a favorite athlete (Steve Zakuani), but United Way made it happen. Most importantly, I heard directly from young adults who have overcome the very obstacles United Way seeks to eliminate – by learning a job skill, finishing a degree or lifting themselves out of homelessness.

On Saturday I saw a community working together to ensure today’s young people have access to every opportunity they deserve. Let’s hope that kind of energy really is contagious!

Emerging Leaders is a group for people in their 20s or 30s who are interested in getting involved with their community through United Way. Sign up to receive monthly invitations to upcoming events to support local youth and meet other like-minded young professionals while you’re at it!