As a (fairly) new staff-person at United Way of Lake County,
I did not know what to expect, and I certainly did not expect to feel the way I
felt throughout the process, in a good way. Starting at United Way of Lake
County last October, I had been through the campaign process. I have
relationships with some of the companies and am still learning names and who is
involved with us, but there are names that repeatedly come up in conversations
around the office. There had been build-up to Day of Caring around the office.
We were excited that almost 100 more volunteers and 10 more projects were
adopted than the previous year. We were excited for getting people involved,
and I was excited to drive around and see what Day of Caring is about,
being my first one (though there have been 20 since it started).
My first stop, the project was a dirty one, where multiple
companies had provided volunteers to work at Mooreland Mansion in the 90+
degree heat. I walked up to the first group and I immediately noticed the smiles.
I took pictures, said ‘thank you,’ and went to the next site. A group of people
was helping a senior who needed her house cleaned. Again, the first thing that
I noticed were the smiles, from both the volunteers and the recipients. The
elderly woman was so incredibly grateful and the volunteers seemed to be as
well.
While driving around, I noticed that each site was the same.
These people, who typically work in an office or factory, and who already
generously donate money, were willing to work in the dust and dirt because they
understood that there are seniors who can’t see and are not able to clean their
house, that there are libraries and senior centers that are need repairs they
are unable to do them themselves, that there are people in their own towns that are unable to live comfortably, and each
of the volunteers performed their tasks with the understanding that they were
improving the lives of these people. I visited Birthright, another recipient of
volunteers for the day. Birthright helps provide food and clothing for
low-income, pregnant women and their children. There was a gentleman there
putting an electrical outlet in the warehouse where they sort donations so that
they could put a telephone in the back. The head of the organization was almost
in tears telling the man how much help having a phone in the warehouse would be
because there are only two staff members and this would provide more resources
to help them assist more people in need. The gentleman smiled as though working
on the wires in a hot warehouse was completely making his day. He was using his
own individual talents and skills he most likely used on a daily basis to help
an organization that will end up helping numerous people. He is just one
example. At each site there were people using their skills to help others.
It was so cool witnessing companies, who already generously
donate their money to United Way-funded programs (which is incredibly
important), coming together to add another dimension of care to those around
them.
Imagine for a moment, that every individual took that
attitude, that each individual in Lake County ‘adopted a project’ in our
neighborhoods… we see someone whose grass needs cut, we see that a mailbox
needs repaired, etc… Imagine if every individual ‘adopted a project’ for those
in need. The homeless wouldn’t be as in want, low-income children would have
less to worry about, and homebound seniors would get to live a higher-quality
of life because we each put some time and our unique gifts into improving their
lives.
On behalf of the staff of United Way of Lake County, I want
to thank those who took the time to participate in Day of Caring. You truly
touched people all over this county. Your efforts spread far and wide that day
and will continue to spread.
Lastly, I ask that those reading this attempt a ‘Day of
Caring’ attitude with those around them. Please let your eyes be open and your
hands be willing to help. It will have a larger impact that you know.
Thank you for reading,
Makella Slavick
Special Projects Associate
United Way of Lake County
*All images by United Way of Lake County
