Volunteers build community during ‘Day of Caring’

MAT-SU — Volunteers donated thousands of dollars in labor to help nearly 20 local non-profit organizations during this year’s United Way Day of Caring last month.

Cherie LeBlanc-Shue, United Way of Mat-Su Resource Development Director, said there were a record number of requests for help this year.

In reponse, 175 people from ages 8 to 80 from local service organizations, churches, businesses spread out with shovels, hammers, paintbrushes and muscle to help.

But LeBlanc-Shue said the benefits of working together as a community go far beyond the $11,000 in direct savings to the non-profits provided by volunteers May 15.

“Studies show communities are made safer where people volunteer and individuals feel more connected,” she said.

Some businesses around the Valley also allowed their employees to volunteer during their workday. Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union performed tasks at the Girl Scout’s Camp Togowoods. Matanuska Electric Associaation’s team painted the dugouts at the Palmer Little League field.

Annually, First National Bank Alaska assists Family Promise Mat-Su, and this year, along with landscaping, they prepared the porch for paint.

Mat-Su Regional Medical Center staff helped sort donations at Turn-A-Leaf while Wells Fargo’s management group again completed yard projects at the Children’s Place.

The week before the official Day of Caring 52 high school juniors from around the state participating in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program performed some of the requested service projects including building a sand box for preschoolers and sweeping the parking lot at CCS Early Learning.

Service organizations gathered members to complete projects Valley wide. In Palmer, the local Kiwanis performed cleanup around the outside of the Mat-Su Senior Services’ building. Susitna Rotary raked and weeded Big Lake Library flowerbeds. Palmer Lions swept the parking lot for Bishop’s Attic and Sunrise Rotary is working on a dog park located at Wasilla Area Seniors campus. Wasilla Area Seniors received assistance from various non-affiliated individuals, as well as, members from Church on the Rock who raked and gathered debris. The agencies all expressed appreciation for the work accomplished by these teams.

LeBlanc-Shue said projects that weren’t completed are available for groups to adopt and complete throughout the year. She said projects are listed online at bit.ly/1iuwuto.