600 volunteers take part in 2023 Day of Caring
May 12—POTTSVILLE — Several member agencies of the Schuylkill United Way were able to get help on much needed projects Friday during the Captain Jason B. Jones Memorial Day of Caring.
The event was created in memory of Jones, of Orwigsburg, who was killed while serving in Afghanistan at the age of 29.
The Memorial Day of Caring allows United Way partner agencies that provide health or human services for free or little costs to Schuylkill County residents the chance to get help with projects they would otherwise not be able to do.
One site benefitting from the event on Friday was the Salvation Army Pottsville Corps at 400 Sanderson St.
Volunteers from Hidden River Credit Union converged and completed projects, such as repairing a shed, painting faded lines for parking spaces, cleaning carpets, picking up trash and cutting grass.
John Murga and Warren Schach spent several hours in the morning painting lines for the parking spaces.
Murga said the credit union serves the community, and what better way to do that then spend a few hours helping out.
"We want to help the community in any way we can, and this is a good way," he said.
Schach said Hidden River Credit Union is in its third year participating in Day of Caring.
"We want to give back any way we can," Schach said. "Even the little things are a help."
Bob Reed, a volunteer with the Salvation Army Pottsville Corps, said the work is greatly appreciated.
He explained that Robert Cook recently retired as the maintenance man for the building after 39 years, leaving a gap in things getting done.
"He took care of everything," Reed said. "We do what we can, but we're limited."
Lt. Betty Ellen Barrett and her husband, Lt. Derek Barrett, of the Salvation Army, said with volunteers dwindling, the help provided is greatly appreciated.
"This is a blessing for us," Betty Barrett said. "There's a lot that has to be done, and we just can't do it alone."
One of the highlights at the Salvation Army building was a hand-painted mural of a cross surrounded by bright colors that will provide a warm reception for anyone who enters the lobby.
Betty Barrett said the mural was created by local artist Katie McNulty.
"When people come in, it will give them a calming sense, a sense of welcome," she said. "We want everyone who comes through that door to feel welcome."
On Friday, volunteers from various Schuylkill County companies and businesses spent hours working on both indoor and outdoor projects.
The projects varied from gardening to painting, depending on volunteer interest and skillset.
Volunteers arrived at several locations, including Avenues, Nurse-Family Partnership, Schuylkill Hope Center for Victims of Domestic Violence and Schuylkill YMCA, all in Pottsville, as well as the Tamaqua Area Adult Day Care Center and Hawk Mountain Boy Scout Camp.
Projects were also completed at Child Development centers in Mahanoy City, Pottsville, Fountain Springs and Tamaqua.
Kelly K. Malone, executive director of Schuylkill United Way, said about 600 volunteers came out for this year's Day of Caring. She said about 500 people offered their services in 2022.
"In my opinion, they went above and beyond," she said. "This is the most we had in several years."
Malone said the event has been going for more than 25 years and that she hopes it continues for a long time.
"Our community means the world to us, and this shows it," she said.
Malone said she plans on going home Friday night and thinking about the tremendous effort all of the volunteers, businesses and companies put forth for the community.
"I will go home tonight, sit and reflect," she said.
Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013
