More
than 3,000 United Way/CFC Day of
Caring volunteers spread-out across
the Kansas City metro area Saturday
morning, June 7, armed with rakes
and shovels…paint brushes and
rollers…. spatulas and tongs…and a
determination to improve the
community in which they live. The
volunteers brought along a can-do
attitude that helped them accomplish
amazing things at local nonprofits
all over Kansas City.
This
year 114 Kansas City area companies,
federal agencies and community
groups put together volunteer teams
to tackle 144 different projects
throughout the community. The
volunteers made quick work of dozens
of projects at Gillis, Operation
Breakthrough, Renaissance West,
Rainbow Center, Sherwood Center,
Rehabilitation Institute and the
Heart of America Stand Down.
Glenn
Difalco was among nearly 100
volunteers at Operation
Breakthrough. The KCP&L worker
brought along his son and daughter
to volunteer, and although they live
just three blocks away, it was the
first time they had been to
Operation Breakthrough. Difalco
said, “The experience is rewarding
for me and it teaches my children
how to give back and that’s an
important lesson to start at an
early age.”
Down
the street, at the Rehabilitation
Institute, volunteers were busy
cleaning and repairing wheelchairs
of disabled clients who come-in for
therapy and painting offices and
rooms used for therapy. The job had
special meaning for one volunteer
from General Electric. Years ago,
Sandy Turner had come to the
Rehabilitation Institute to visit
her brother who had become a
paraplegic after a motocross
accident. As she painted, Sandy
thought about the therapists who
helped speed her brother’s recovery.
“Now he’s able to work full time and
get around and he’s really a
functional person. I know it was due
in part to the therapy and training
he received at the Rehab Institute.
That’s why I really wanted to be
here today.”
On the
South side of the metro area
volunteers cleaned-up an historic
cemetery that was along the Santa Fe
Trail. While nearby, volunteers
painted the homes of a low-income,
elderly woman and a mentally
challenged couple in Ruskin Heights
who couldn’t physically or
financially do it themselves.
There are still projects seeking
volunteers. Please contact the
Volunteer Center for more
information about how your church or
organization can help.
Click Here for the Days Recap from
the Kansas City Star
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