GROVE CITY —
The Grove City United Way saw the largest number of volunteers for Day of Caring service projects on Saturday.
Grace United Methodist Church's gymnasium was filled with 427 volunteers, who ate breakfast at 8 a.m. and then went into the community to do more than two dozen projects for the elderly, disabled, non-profit organizations and others.
"This is our biggest ever," said Kathy DiStasi, program director for the United Way, who organized the day.
Last year brought 360 people, she added.
The numbers often include a "huge response" from Grove City College students volunteers, she said. Regulars attend the day every year as a tradition for their family, DiStasi added.
Elderly and disabled people "expect this and call us out," she said, "so we appreciate the help."
Some groups needing help this year included the Grove City Area Historical Society, for removing old flooring and cleaning; Grove City Borough, for cleaning around Wolf Creek, playgrounds, Olde Town and more; Grove City Girls Softball League, for preparing fields and painting dugouts and bleachers.
New groups getting help this year included Grove City Community Gardens, a grassroots endeavor near Grove City Middle School, where garden boxes needed filled and soil mixed.
Grove City Christian Academy had its playground and grounds cleaned, continuing in the tradition of Day of Caring work there when it was Washington Kindergarten Center.
Ironically, United Way never received help from Day of Caring volunteers, because it never thought to benefit from its own program, said Amy Foley, director.
One day, she and DiStasi had an epiphany: Day of Caring volunteers could help the agency with two projects that help needy students and elderly (Stuff the Bus and clothes sorting), as well as stuffing envelopes for its fall campaign.
"Usually there's a few of us doing it for weeks," Foley said. "How stupid."
Numerous volunteers donated $3,300 to pay for supplies and the breakfast for the day, Foley added.
Grace church has volunteered its building for the event for four years. Day of Caring volunteers met at East Main Presbyterian Church prior to that, "and we outgrew it," Foley said.
Wes Tomer, a junior at GCC, decided to participate this year because his friends did it last year, he said, adding, "They said they had a fun time."
Friend Shanda Blair, also a junior, said it was her second year volunteering.
"Last year we helped an elderly lady," Blair said. "It felt good to help. I know it sounds cliché, but it's to build the community."
Foley liked seeing all the volunteers together, she said, "Just to be nice."
Info: www.grovecityunitedway.org
Published May 2, 2012, in Allied News. Pick up a copy at 201 A Erie St., Grove City.
Local News
Related Photos
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Volunteers brave the cold on Saturday outside of Grace United Methodist Church to prepare for the Groven City United Way Day of Caring, which drew nearly 430 people; a record this year to do service projects for the elderly, disabled and non-profit organizations in the area. Felicia A. Petro/Allied News
Discussion
Record Day of Caring
GC United Way projects clean up, help
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