United Way kicks off annual Week of Caring
BUTLER TWP — The Butler County Children's Center and parks in Slippery Rock were a little spiffier on Monday due to the kickoff of the United Way Week of Caring in Butler County.
During the event, volunteers from county businesses and organizations perform much-needed work for the underprivileged, elderly or others in need as well as at nonprofit and government facilities.
Dozens of volunteers are scheduled for various projects all week at 25 places throughout the county.
Amy Franz, the Butler Region director of the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, said she was pleased to see volunteers helping.
“So many of the teams are groups of employees whose employer has given them time off from work to volunteer,” Franz said. “That speaks volumes about the value of volunteer service and its importance to a community's quality of life.”
Three employees from Berkshire Hathaway Home Services' Alameda Plaza realty office spent the morning at the Butler County Children's Center on Homewood Drive.
The volunteers pulled weeds near the front entrance and freshened the mulch in the front flower bed and playground area.
Kris Callen, branch manager at the Alameda office, said Monday was the first time her office had participated in Week of Caring since she began working there several years ago.
She said the office participates in many fundraising activities that benefit nonprofit agencies, but a flier she received in the mail that mentioned the Week of Caring piqued her interest.
“I thought, 'This is a different way to contribute,'” Callen said.
She initially chose Preston Park for her office's volunteers, but was told by United Way that the Children's Center was in greater need of volunteer services.
Callen was glad it was an outdoor job, which is what she and her employees were hoping for.
“We just went where the need was greater,” she said. “We would do it again and look forward to next year.”
Realtor Danielle Guthrie participated because she believes in volunteerism.
“I feel like I need to give back to my community,” Guthrie said, “and it was for the kids.”
She said the work made her feel like she accomplished something worthy.
“The more time people spend doing something good and not falling into the negatives in life, the better,” Guthrie said. “It's important to keep your community bright and beautiful, so it attracts new residents and businesses.”
The volunteerism at the Children's Center also allowed Guthrie to do some hard work while meeting new people, which happen to be two of the Realtor's favorite activities.
“I think it was a really good experience, and I hope more people will choose to participate in the future,” Guthrie said.
Elisa Spadafora, CEO at the Children's Center, said the Berkshire Hathaway volunteers worked with maintenance director Scott Snow to complete the work.
“They were extremely receptive to doing the work and working outside,” she said. “We're very appreciative of their efforts.”
She said another group is coming from Slippery Rock University to volunteer at the Children's Center's Mount Chestnut site.
