Helping Hands
Even with social distancing and other COVID-19-related restrictions, a number of volunteers worked at multiple locations Tuesday as part of the United Way Week of Caring.
“We've been very pleased to see people express interest in helping,” said Amy Franz, regional director for the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. “Even though things aren't what they might have been a year ago, it hasn't dampened the willingness of people to get out and help.”
The Week of Caring started Friday with a project in Allegheny County and another food packing project Monday in Cranberry Township, according to Franz.
“Having them help in volunteer efforts, it gives them a better idea of what United Way does and have a better understanding of where their donations go,” Franz said.
The United Way of America has 1,200 offices across the nation and uses fundraising efforts to support charitable organizations.
Two projects took place Tuesday, one involved painting at Under Our Wing in the Butler YWCA on Cunningham Street, and the other involved repainting the dek hockey rink in the Butler Township Park on Duffy Road.
“We were painting the dek boards in the hockey rinks and the dugouts,” said Mary Hohn of Chicora, a Calumet-Penreco employee. “It went really smooth because of the nice weather.”
Employees from C.W. Howard and AGR also helped at with the rinks, according to Dave Zarnick, president of the Butler Township Board of Commissioners.“Some of these companies out here today have been coming out to help Butler Township for years,” Zarnick said. “We're just very appreciative that these companies allow their people to volunteer. It's always a great day when the volunteers are with us.”The township usually has numerous projects at Preston Park, but this year the park is in the midst of a construction project that will expand parking and driving areas.Tom Knights, Butler Township manager, said the dek hockey project was a great alternative that would have likely been delayed had it not been for Tuesday's volunteers.“A lot of these projects wouldn't get done this year without their help,” Knights said. “They're great. They got a tremendous amount of work done.”Steve Powers of Chicora, another Calumet-Penreco employee, said he was glad for a beautiful day to work and be involved in the community, especially at a much needed time.“I think a lot of places weren't able to have volunteers because of the COVID restrictions,” he said. “I think we got a lot accomplished.”Franz said the pandemic has complicated some Week of Caring projects. She said some will have to wait for later years, while other projects need additional accommodations to allow for safety and social distancing.Franz said despite some of the challenges, the United Way will take any willing hands or at least make connections for future efforts.“We can always involve people, and if the spots line up this week, great — and if not, we can talk to them about other opportunities throughout the year,” she said.People interested in volunteering this week or in future efforts should contact Courtney Schreiner, volunteer engagement coordinator for the United Way. She can be reached at 412-456-6702 or by email at courtney.schreiner@unitedwayswpa.org.
