Promoting health and happiness in this community has been a focus for David Staley. Through his work with Unity in Community,

he has inspired people of all ages to have fun and enjoy healthy living.

“I don’t want to pass through this world without enriching the lives of other people,” Staley said. “It’s the dash that counts – that dash between the birthdate and the death date on the tombstone. I want that dash to be a time of touching the lives of other people, being somebody who gives back.”

Staley, a photographer and substitute teacher, lives by the motto “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Unity in Community strives to improve the quality of life for all people in the community. Staley has been instrumental in working on many local projects, including Praising in the Park, Pound the Pavement, the Senior Citizen Christmas Social, and Healthy Polk County.

“People need something to look forward to doing, something local,” he said. “I wanted to create opportunities for things to do right here, so people wouldn’t have to travel outside the county. If you don’t have something to look forward to, life feels harder. Knowing that something good’s coming up gives people more meaning and makes life worth living.”