United Way of Harrison County's Day of Action brings community together

The day began with a breakfast at First United Methodist Church on Second Street in Clarksburg. From there, the teams of volunteers dispersed to their designated areas to begin their day.

“We had Bonding with Books at the church, so Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and some other volunteers helped to stuff totes with different books,” Yoke said.

The books were then distributed to children at United Hospital Center and other areas. This was the second year for the book project.

“The funding to purchase the books and totes came from a Depends grant — that’s what really made it possible. And this creates a great partnership between the Harrison County Reading Council, UHC and the United Way,” Yoke said.

Becky Foster, who works at UHC, helped clean up the People’s Hospice Memorial Garden on Tuesday.

“This is the first year UHC has had a team come out and do it. I didn’t know this is what I was going to be doing — I just signed up to help,” said Foster.

She said she has been a financial supporter of the United Way for several years but she hadn’t ever helped out quite like this.

“This seemed like the right time. Besides just giving money, sometimes they need more than that,” Foster said.

“We are very proud of our People’s Hospice Memorial Garden,” said Pam Stevens, the hospice’s volunteer coordinator.

The hospice depends on volunteers to help with the garden’s upkeep, she added.

“Having such a big work force of volunteers today is really significant so that we can really make the garden look nice for the people who come here to seek some reflection time,” Stevens said.

She commented that it is nice to have the garden cleaned up, since its purpose is to raise funds for people who may not be able to afford hospice services and to be a peaceful place for people to remember their loved ones.

“It’s nice to be able to spruce it up and to make it a nice place for people to come and sit and reflect — for them to have a quiet, peaceful place. And to have it cleaned up and nice like this is just a really big thing for us,” said Stevens.

Randy Means from Thrasher Engineering volunteered to help out at the Harrison County 4-H Center. There, Day of Action volunteers cleaned out and straightened up the fire pit and power-washed concrete and benches.

“The owner of the company, William Thrasher, is very involved with a lot of community activities. When there’s an opportunity for use to give back to the community, he always makes sure that his company is represented,” he said.

Cathie Jackson, United Way of Harrison County administrative assistant, said Day of Action is designed to help those in need in the community.

“We want to assist people with things they can’t get done and for the United Way to be visible in the community,” she said.

Jackson said she likes to think of the United Way as an insurance policy.

“The United Way and their agencies are insurance to help if you’re in need. If something should happen, the United Way is there,” she said.

Jackson also commented that Day of Action takes a lot of planning and coordinating to get the day to come full circle. They have to contact the agencies to see what the needs are, promote the day, and then begin asking for volunteers.

Volunteers not only did landscaping, but also helped to paint buildings, organize files and clothing, prepared meals, and relocated office supplies.