‘Day Of Caring’ Continues Despite Rain
This group mostly from MidWestOne Bank is representative of the 190 volunteers who made their way out on a soggy Thursday to participate in the Day of Caring event
Oskaloosa, Iowa – No one complains these days when it rains, at least not yet.
The United Way of Mahaska County’s 2012 Day of Caring might have started off soggy, but the volunteers were still full steam ahead, with only a couple of outdoor projects postponed until a later day.
The event is a single day that United Way sets aside in the community for teams of area volunteers to join forces and make an impact by completing needed service projects for the elderly, disabled, low-income, and/or local nonprofits.
A group of volunteers from Midwest One joined up to paint the basement of a homeowner, getting to work at 8 am and wrapped up just shortly after 10 am. In that time, they group painted the entire basement of the residence.
“I’ve done it for several years, and I don’t even think about it anymore,” says Jane Krutzfeldt, employee at Midwest One Bank on why she participates. “Things need done, so do them.” She feels that sense of accomplishment that she’s helped out her fellow neighbor with a need when the job is completed.
Katie Schippers, Community Impact Coordinator with United Way of Mahaska County said, ‘Everyone knows today the weather wasn’t what we wanted.”
Schippers said all the indoor projects were still going on, and once the projects are completed that were delayed by rain, 190 volunteers will have worked on 23 different projects. “We’re really excited, it’s a little bit bigger than it was last year.”
At the Mahaska County YMCA, volunteers were making progress painting and sprucing up the interior. Dawn Collins Executive Director for the Mahaska County YMCA said local designer Tara Rozenboom helped out by selecting the colors to be used on the individual rooms and common areas such as hallways.
Work was even happening at the different offices at the United Way building, like the one occupied by Love Inc. Robin Pfalzgraf said the office area used by Love Inc was being freshened up with a coat of tan paint. It was some she had left over after painting was completed at her home. “They can paint to their hearts content, what ever they want to paint tan,” Pfalzgraf said smiling. “I’m excited, it’s going to be much nicer.”
Volunteers from William Penn University made their way to Nelson Pioneer Farm to help prepare the farm for this weekends Fall Festival. Penn student and Chicago native Eddie Offett was helping to clean up the old jail cell at the farm. Getting used to Oskaloosa is “something you have to get used to, but it’s pretty good.”
Lunch for the volunteers was served at St. Mary’s Parish, as some were completing their tasks and others were just getting started. If your interested in participating in next year’s Day of Caring, you can contact the United Way office at 641-673-6043 or visit their website at unitedwaymahaska.org.
