Volunteerism alive, well

The Jackson County United Way Board of Directors would like to thank Brian Hardy, the 2009 Day of Caring committee and community volunteers and donors for the continued support of this community event.

This year more than 217 volunteers worked all day on May 12 for a total of nearly 1,400 hours. This would not have been possible if not for the support of our major employers and a committee dedicated to making a visible impact throughout Jackson County.

This year's committee consisted of Hardy, Aisin USA; Fay Gardner, Jackson County Public Library; Floyd Amburgey, city of Seymour; Karen Brooks, Department of Child Services; LeRoy Crees, community volunteer and Long-Term Recovery Committee: Ruth Reeves, Project Aftermath; Mike Weir, Jackson County Planning Commission; Amber Hatfield-Owens, Cummins Industrial Center; Dan Hodge, UCB; Robert Holbrook, The Tribune; Rita Baker, Schneck Medical Center; and Cindy Ruddick and Tonja Couch, who served as United Way representatives.

Donations in support of the Early Learning Trails and other projects included Bob Poynter Chevy, Buick, Pontiac, GMC; UCB, Fraternal Order of Eagles; Monroe County Bank; Blue & Co. LLC; Coldwell Banker, Seymour Mfg. Co., Duke Energy, United Way of America ASB grant; Brownstown Electric; State Bank of Medora, Jackson County Sertoma Club, Wal-Mart Distribution and an anonymous donor. Donations totaled $6,200.

Volunteers represented the following: Wal-Mart Distribution Center and Transportation; Indiana American Water Co.; Jackson County Extension Homemakers; Jackson County Recycling District; JLM Pharmatech; SIHO Insurance Services; Jackson County Bank; Home Depot; Seymour Kiwanis; Schneck Medical Center;  PFLAG Seymour Chapter; Jackson County Public Library; State Bank of Medora; Coldwell Banker Hall & Woods; Duke Energy; Knights of Columbus; Jackson County Masonic Lodge 146; Medora Masonic Lodge 328; Blue & Co.; Seymour High School Renaissance; UCB; Aisin Drivetrain; Aisin USA; The Tribune; Brownstown Exchange Club; Kocolene; Cummins Industrial Center; Crothersville Cheerleaders; Medora Class of 2009; and Sara Bane and members of the Seymour Class of 2009.

Individuals who volunteered included: Monte Persinger, Dale Siefker, Bridget Gonzalez, Cashland; Trudy Reynolds, Jackson County ARC; Jerry Simmons and Ryan Jennings.

Projects were completed at Maumee Boy Scout Camp, SICA driveway improvements, Crothersville Senior Citizens exercise room, Pershing Township Park cleanup, four local group homes affiliated with ARC and Mental Health America, Medora Senior Citizens roof repair, Jackson County Historical Society cleanup and porch installation, Brownstown Senior Citizens door, painting and plumbing repair, Girls Inc.; Boys & Girls Club, Humane Society of Jackson County outside painting, Community Agency Building cleanup, Seymour Head Start cleanup and repairs, Medora town sign, Houston School floor sanding, Weddleville School painting, Camp Pyoca cabin repairs, Shields Park playground installation, Jackson County United Way stencil cutting, home for Long Term Recovery victim in Medora interior paint, home of Brownstown senior citizen ramp repair, Department of Child Services play area fence and picnic tables for family visitation and Early Learning Trails at Shields Park, Brownstown Elementary School, Crothersville Elementary School, Freetown Elementary School, Medora Elementary School, St. Ambrose and Emerson, Redding, Cortland and Jackson Elementary schools in Seymour.

Please feel free to extend a big "thank you" to these companies and individuals who worked so hard to make the lives of Jackson County residents enriched and enhanced. Volunteering is alive and well through the Jackson County United Way.

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Ruth Ann Rebber of Seymour is executive director of Jackson County United Way.