(Posted March 20, 2019)
By Andrew Garrett, Staff Writer
Many hands make light work, the old proverb goes, and the United Way of Clark, Champaign & Madison Counties (UWCCMC) is looking for as many hands as can be mustered for its Service Day planned for April 26.
Service Day is a county-wide, one-day event that pairs volunteers with area non-profit organizations for a variety of cleaning, maintenance and repair projects, according to Gracie Hemphill, UWCCMC’s director of strategic initiatives. Think of it as one big day of spring cleaning happening simultaneously throughout the county with neighbors helping neighbors.
The goal is for local businesses and organizations to recruit volunteers from within their ranks and then sign up as a group, although individuals are encouraged to participate, too, Hemphill said. Volunteer registration is open through April 22.
UWCCMC is accepting service projects until April 15. Entities or organizations looking to register a service project must be non-profit to qualify. Projects already accepted include: clearing invasive brush at the Little Darby State Scenic Preserve, organized by Friends of Madison County Parks & Trails; Meals-On-Wheels delivery through LifeCare Alliance; fence removal at Loving Care Hospice; and mulching at London city parks.
“This is a great opportunity for citizens to show their pride by working in comradery to improve their communities,” said Pat Closser, London mayor and United Way board member, “and I encourage everyone to volunteer on this day.”
This is the first year for the event to take place in Madison County, according to Hemphill. It is the fourth year for Clark County and the third for Champaign County, she said.
Over the last four years, Clark County’s Service Day has grown to include nearly 30 project sites and more than 500 hundred volunteers. Hemphill said she would love to see that kind of turnout and growth in Madison County.
Those interested in Service Day volunteerism or submitting a service project, or merely finding out more about the event and various service projects, may do so by logging onto www.uwccmc.org/events and scrolling down to “Madison County Service Day.”
Gracie Hemphill may be contacted at (937) 324-5551, ext. 100.
