Impact of care is long-lasting

By The Daily Progress

Published: September 20, 2008

Out of your cube and into the street.

We like that turn of phrase.

That’s how Larry Broach, of PRA International, described one of the benefits of the Laurence E. Richardson Day of Caring, an event that gets thousands of local business folks out of their offices and into service agencies to help, and help, and help.
The Day of Caring is sponsored by the United Way-Thomas Jefferson Area and is named for the late Mr. Richardson, a local broadcast company owner and United Way leader. This year’s version occurred on Sept. 17.

The Day of Caring has been contributing to this community for 17 years. It has continually grown bigger and more effective, say organizers.
And its impact could hardly come at a better time, for more reasons than one.
The obvious reason is that so many helping agencies need some help themselves — more now than perhaps at any time in the recent past.
With the economy worsening, more area residents are turning to social service agencies, both public and private. The agencies have additional demands on their time.
Meanwhile, in times of economic uncertainty, sources of donations may dwindle.

How good it is that the Day of Caring provides a major infusion of support just when agencies need it.
Day of Caring volunteers cheerfully provide sweat equity, taking on one-time jobs such as painting, building or landscaping that might be postponed in face of other needs, or else stepping in to do chores so that regular workers are freed for other, more pressing tasks.
The volunteers give measurable value for their work, and they often perform jobs that produce a visible benefit. Newly erected signage or a freshly painted office can improve efficiency and morale, giving a boost to agency employees and clients alike.
It elevates morale just to know that this community can put 2,700 volunteers in the field, as it did last Wednesday.
Then there is the boost that the United Way volunteers receive, the good feelings that emanate just from getting out there and helping someone.

“I love animals and a chance to spend the day giving them love and attention is great,” said Carolyn Barnett of State Farm, whose assignment was to help out at the SPCA.
PRA’s Broach also mentioned that working together as a team with people from his company helps build morale within the group. Companies are better for fostering the camaraderie that comes from jointly volunteering.

Yes, our community has many people — a growing number — who need help making ends meet.
Our community — thankfully — has many agencies dedicated to providing that help.