Time to volunteer for Day of Caring

Jackson County United Way's 2009 Day of Caring is quickly approaching, and organizers are making final plans for the big event Tuesday.

Project chairman Brian Hardy recently met with committees to discuss plans, review projects, volunteers and needed supplies and begin assigning work projects.

An added project this year will be free shredding of paper provided by Jackson County Recycling District. Anyone wishing to have items shredded are invited to bring up to five medium boxes to the B&O parking lot on Tipton Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"All volunteers are encouraged to wear their Day of Caring shirts from last years. As the committee reviewed projects, need and the economy, it was decided this would be a great way to ensure more support for projects and give volunteers and sponsors the needed materials to complete each project," Executive Director Ruth Ann Rebber said.

Other projects will be done at Southern Indiana Center for the Arts, Mental Health and ARC group homes (Pin Oak, Lancelot, Elm Street and Evergreen), Community Agency Building, Brownstown, Medora and Crothersville senior citizens, Jackson County Historical Society, Humane Society of Jackson County, Camp Pyoca, Seymour parks, a disaster recovery home in Medora, Boys & Girls Club of Seymour, Girls Inc. of Jackson County, Seymour Head Start, Medora welcome sign, Pershing Township park, Camp Maumee, Weddleville and Houston schools, Department of Child Services, schools and parks asking for Early Learning Trails to be constructed (including Seymour-Redding, St. Ambrose, Freetown, Brownstown elementary, Medora and Crothersville schools); along with Shields, Gaiser and Kasting parks.

Any other school wanting a trail can contact the United Way office. Cost of each trail is $600. Donors to help defray costs of the trail may call the office. Blue & Co. and a grant from UWA are funding four trails.

Work will include painting, cleaning, washing windows, some construction, minor repairs, wrapping Christmas boxes, planting flowers, building railings and ramps and constructing the Early Learning Trails.

Volunteers / How to help

Volunteer employee groups or service clubs who have agreed to help are coming from Masonic Lodge 146, Schneck Medical Center, Seymour Kiwanis, Aisin Drivetrain, Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Duke Energy, Jackson County Bank, Jackson County Public Library, Seymour High School Renaissance Club, State Bank of Medora, PFLAG, The Tribune, Brownstown Exchange Club, Medora Masonic Lodge 328, Indiana American Water Co., Jackson County Extension Homemakers, JLM Pharmatech, SIHO Insurance Services, Home Depot, Coldwell Banker, Knights of Columbus, Blue & Co. LLC, UCB Schwarz Pharma, Medora Class of 2009 and Kocolene Marketing LLC.

Individuals who will be helping are Ryan Jennings, Kristen Stewart and Cashland employees Angela Grubb and Amanda Bush.
Donations in support of this year's event have been received from Duke Energy, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Bob Poynter Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, GMC; Coldwell Banker; Schwarz Pharma; Monroe Bank; Blue & Co. LLC; Seymour Mfg. Co.; Brownstown Electric; State Bank of Medora; and a United Way of America ASB grant.

Others helping on this year's committee include Fay Gardner, Jackson County Public Library; Floyd Amburgey, city of Seymour; Karen Brooks, Department of Child Services; Mike Weir, Jackson County Planning Commission; Rita Baker, Schneck Medical Center; LeRoy Crees, community volunteer; Ruth Reeves, Project Aftermath; Dan Hodge, UCB Schwarz Pharma; Robert Holbrook, The Tribune; and Amber Hatfield-Owens, Cummins Industrial Center. Cindy Ruddick serves as JCUW representative.

All volunteers will meet at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at Girls Inc., 956 N. O'Brien St., for donuts, juice, project assignments and materials.

Anyone interested in volunteering on Tuesday or wishing to donate may contact Hardy at 523-1969 or the United Way office at 522-5450.