25 projects completed on Day of Caring

MAT-SU — United Way of Mat-Su kicked off its 25th anniversary May 17 by organizing the completion of 25 projects for its annual Day of Caring.

Nearly 200 people of all ages from 23 businesses and organizations volunteered to complete the projects at 14 nonprofits across the Valley.

Cherie LeBlanc-Shue, United Way of Mat-Su resource development director, said the number of projects completed increased by 20 percent over past years.

“This year a record was set for the number of completed projects,” she said.

And three more projects are slated for completion in the next few weeks, LeBlanc-Shue said.

Businesses around the Valley also allowed employees to volunteer while still on the clock, she said.

Such as Angela Hobbie, and others from Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, who left their desks to work at the Girl Scout’s Camp Togowoods.

“We requested tents to be set up with cots, mattresses and mosquito nets put inside, plus the firewood stacked,” Camp Togowoods ranger Steve Cassens said. “With smiles on their faces, MVFCU completed everything faster than expected, and thanks to them we are ready to open.”

Employees from Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Country Financial and MVFCU completed yard cleanup for elders being served by the Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Alaska. They also planted flowers into pots and beds to create summer bright spots for seniors to enjoy.

Blue-shirted teams picked their projects from a list of 35 proposals. For example, Church on the Rock raked and gathered debris at Wasilla Senior Center before enjoying lunch and a visit with the center’s patrons. In Palmer, the local Kiwanis and Rotary clubs joined forces to cleanup the inside and outside of the old Palmer Senior Center location.

First National Bank Alaska and an employee for Blood-N-Fire Ministries donated labor and materials to create a picnic area and beautify the exterior at Family Promise Mat-Su. The agencies all expressed appreciation for the work accomplished by these volunteers.

Alaska Job Corps’ students — with supervision from their instructors — are assisting CCS Early Learning by sanding and refinishing cubbies for classrooms. In addition, they will build two interior walls to create an office for Set Free Alaska. Mat-Su Home Builders Association is providing a grant to help with the purchase of materials for this project.

Other businesses and groups volunteering include Wells Fargo Bank, MASCOT, Alaska State Fair, Alaska USA Credit Union, Northrim Bank, Mat-Su Borough School District Deena Paramo and United Way board members and staff. Many individuals who were not affiliated with any group also volunteered.

Benefiting nonprofits include Valley Charities (Turn-A-Leaf), Imagination Library, Snowshoe Elementary, Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults and The Children’s Place.

Matanuska Telephone Association, a group that regularly volunteers, plans to supply materials and workers to paint and organize where emergency supplies are kept by the American Red Cross.

For its contribution, Susitna Rotary will build an ADA-approved ramp at the Wasilla Food Pantry in a few weeks.

LeBlanc-Shue said Day of Caring is just the beginning of its 25th anniversary celebration.

“At any time during the year, anyone can enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and the fun of volunteering by visiting the United Way of Mat-Su website, clicking on the volunteer tab and finding a project that fits their passion and skills,” she said.