Volunteers lend a hand on Day of Caring
The Jones County Volunteer Center organized 70 volunteers on May 12 as part of United Way’s annual Day of Caring.
This is a day where businesses allow their employees and schools have their students spend the day out in their communities lending a hand and volunteering.
Volunteer Center Director Amy Keltner said the number of volunteers this year nearly doubled.
The more than a dozen service projects in Jones County included: cleanup and planting at Central Park, painting and playground work at HACAP Preschool, cleaning at Monticello Senior Dining, painting at Anamosa Senior Dining, helping to organize at the Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition, planting at the Anamosa Arboretum, cleaning playground equipment at Strawberry Hill Elementary School, and yard work for several senior citizens throughout the county.
Keltner said she sought ideas for projects through her community contacts and other service groups in the county.
“I targeted non-profits, elderly individuals, those looking for help,” she said.
A new group of volunteers this year was the REVIVE program at Anamosa High School, alternative high school students. They spent Day of Caring working at Central Park.
“This day is a good way to get out in the community,” said Keltner, “and give back. You meet new people, learn about the different agencies in the area, and even get out of work or school for the day.”
For more information on the Volunteer Center, contact Keltner at 319-560-0811. The Volunteer Center is located at 105 Broadway Place Suite 1 in Anamosa.