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Lorain, May 16, 2014: United Way of Greater Lorain County and Leadership Lorain County joined forces this weekend to freshen up Pearl Avenue and assist local community agencies with over 500 hours of volunteer service.
The annual Spring Day of Caring was designed as an opportunity for volunteers to provide a spring cleaning in their community, and this year’s event took on a greater importance with the recent flooding across the region. The two-day event brought out nearly 100 individuals who worked together in teams to complete projects for local agencies that needed the extra help. Included in the volunteers were players from the Lake Erie Crushers and members of the front office staff.
“This was another great example of our community coming together to create positive change”, said United Way of Greater Lorain County executive director Bill Harper. “Our partnership with Leadership Lorain County allows us to combine our resources and bring together the people and organizations needed to get things done.
“With the help of the Lorain County Volunteer Connection, we were able to provide meaningful experiences to a large number of volunteers while supporting the efforts of some very worthwhile local agencies.”
The work began on Friday when participants met for a kickoff lunch at the Lorain County Boys & Girls Club with a welcome and thank you from Leadership Lorain County president and CEO Beth Maiden. Participants then split into their respective teams and began several projects at the Boys and Girls Club and the Lorain County Free Clinic.
“Service is at the heart of Leadership Lorain County’s programs,” said Maiden. “Throughout the year, our classes learn about Lorain County’s needs and how they can use their talents to help. The Day of Caring was a project of the Leadership Class of 2012, and those original team members continue to lead and volunteer today as alumni. We are excited to continue our relationship with United Way of Greater Lorain County to provide opportunities like the Day of Caring for our alumni to come together and serve our community.”
Saturday brought a new round of projects and volunteers who braved the cool and wet weather. The day started with a motivational message from Harper during a kickoff breakfast at El Centro before volunteers spread out to complete multiple projects throughout South Lorain.
Saturday’s projects included cleaning and landscaping at El Centro, where Lake Erie Crushers pitcher Michael Jahns and Outfielder Trevor Stevens volunteered alongside members of the front office staff to help clean the flooded basement.
Other projects Saturday included gardening and sorting at the Blessing House and a Pearl Avenue beautification team that focused on the area between East 28th Street and East 36th Street. The two-day event concluded with a cookout at El Centro to thank the volunteers.
“It’s inspiring to see so many people care about the community and to truly enjoy giving back,” said Harper. “There are a lot of things people can be doing over the weekend, and this group chose to roll up their sleeves and put in the hard work that will really benefit this neighborhood for a long time.”
To learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities, visit uwloraincounty.org/volunteer.
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