Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
More than 150 volunteers will spend Aug. 16 giving back to the community by beautifying homes around Kosciusko County.
United Way is teaming up with Grace College, several committees and churches to celebrate the second annual Community Day of Caring.
Last year, 150 Grace College students and staff from the college's department of character leadership and development improved homes in Pierceton.
The event this year again will include 150 Grace College students and staff working on homes.
"We hope they get a greater appreciation for this community and use their gifts to learn the joys of serving," said Scott Feather, dean of character and leadership development.
Chore-Time Brock employees are allowed the day off from work to participate in the event. There will be 23 employees participating in the event.
"We are allowing our employees the day off to use their talents and give back to the community through service," said Gary Tenney, maintenance and facilities manager for Chore-Time Brock.
The event has grown this year with churches from Claypool, Warsaw, Syracuse and North Webster supplying food and refreshments for the volunteers.
"The program has been established to promote the spirit and value of volunteerism," said Housing Opportunities of Warsaw Executive Director Pam Kennedy.
She also said the goal is to increase the awareness of local human service agencies and schools and demonstrate what people working together for the community's good can accomplish.
Pat Coy, executive director of United Way of Kosciusko County, said the planning for this year's day is coming together.
"It's exciting for individuals to invite these volunteers to come and help them with projects they need completed," Coy said.
Forms were distributed around the county for people who needed tasks such as home repairs, painting, cleaning and yard work completed.
Volunteers will spend the day competing these tasks at 22 homes and two organizations throughout Kosciusko County. The list of homes to be worked on include five in Claypool, three in Syracuse, eight in Warsaw, four in Winona Lake, one in Leesburg and one in Silver Lake.
The day will begin at 7 a.m. Wednesday with breakfast for volunteers at Grace College Cafeteria, and the workday begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 5 p.m. A time of reflection will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Winona Lake Amphitheater where home owners and volunteers reflect on the day sharing their experiences with one another.
Supervising organizations include Walnut Creek Home Repair Ministry, North Webster Men's Home Repair Ministry, United Way of Kosciusko County, Grace College Department of Character Leadership and Development, Greentree Environmental and Housing Opportunities, Kosciusko Community Senior Services, Chore-Time Brock, and Walnut Creek Home Repair Ministry of Walnut Creek United Methodist Church in Warsaw.
Town and city officials also will be volunteering.
Businesses will donate materials to complete the work.
Lowe's is supplying building materials at a discounted price, donating handtools as well as 150 nail aprons and 50 hats for the supervisors.
Harmon Glass, Cart Lumber and Warsaw Siding also have supplied materials at a discounted price.
Elliott's Cars and Carts are donating golf carts for the refreshment volunteers to use during the day.
