Everything was bright and cheery on the morning of August 6 at the William E. Urschel Pavilion in Valparaiso. Volunteers from local businesses joined in the sunlight wearing matching yellow shirts to support nonprofits in the Region with United Way of Porter County for the annual Day of Caring.
The morning began with breakfast and briefings on the impact that the United Way of Porter County has throughout the Region.
Kim Olesker, president and CEO of United Way of Porter County, welcomed volunteers by emphasizing the scope of influence participants will have on the community on just one day alone.
“Today, more than 530 volunteers will help 35 nonprofits complete 56 projects in Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties,” Olesker said.
Olesker reminded participants that their impact not only is confined to the time they donated on Friday.
“Day of Caring isn’t just a single day; it’s a year-round attitude,” Olesker said. “We appreciate you for being here and serving in your community throughout the year. Volunteerism is just one of the many ways that you join us in our vision to create a Region where all individuals can achieve their full potential.”
Rebecca Weber, event coordinator and United Way AmeriCorps director, expanded on the work that volunteer teams would be doing throughout the Region.
“It's a huge day of doing lots of things that nonprofits wish they had the people to regularly complete these projects,” said Weber. “There's going to be trees planted, flower beds done, toys donated, cleaning places we only get clean this once a year. Many things are going to be accomplished that nonprofits have to sort of put off because they don't have the manpower to do.”
Weber highlighted the United Way of Porter County’s support for the community.
“We serve as a community backbone organization in areas of health, education, and financial stability,” said Weber. “We know that these are the pillars that keep a community happy, healthy, and successful. It's like a 3-legged stool. If one of them is gone, then it falls over.”
The United Way of Porter County works hard to connect volunteers with local nonprofits in need throughout the Region.
Heather Ennis, president & CEO of Northwest Indiana Forum and Governance Committee Chair for United Way of Porter County, expanded upon the teamwork of the volunteers that makes Day of Caring possible.
“United Way’s Day of Caring is an amazing opportunity to give back to the community, do some team building, and really work together,” Ennis said. “You're going to make such an impact on the lives that you work for today, so thank you for giving your time and your energy and your effort. The biggest impact probably will be all for you and in watching the dramatic difference that you make for the community.”
Day of Caring allows the United Way of Porter County to address a large sum of residents that need assistance in the Region.
“Through your volunteerism and support, we are able to help two out of the five residents in need in our community through United Way,” said Kasie Tenbarge, director of development for United Way of Porter County. “That's a big number, and we really appreciate your help in accomplishing that mission.”
Denise Conlon, Manager at NIPSCO, praised the United Way of Porter County for its work throughout the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“What is most amazing is what happened last year during COVID. Many of our staff had to go home and work from home, which we were able to do pretty easily,” said Conlon. “But this group as a not-for-profit, had to do separate modeling, and then still serve the communities. They did it with grace.”
Crystal Cartwright, Banking Center manager for 1st Source Bank in Valparaiso also gave credit to the United Way of Porter County for persevering throughout the pandemic to continue to serve Region residents.
“Last year, we were really sad because, with COVID, we weren't able to have this event,” Cartwright said. “This year, we were really hoping to ramp it up, and we have a lot of great volunteers this year. It gives me chills because the United Way does so much in the community. The amount of support, especially over the last year with the pandemic, is outstanding. They've really stepped up and went above and beyond other years, and it's been really rewarding to watch it happen.”
Jeff Carrico, Meijer Market Director South Chicago, identified the effect of the United Way of Porter County’s impact on the community. Carrico knows firsthand just how important the United Way of Porter County is to children throughout the Region.
“Let me tell you a story about a young man who grew up in a divorced household with abuse, drugs, and alcohol. At the end of the month, when the welfare would run out, United Way agencies helped provide the children with food. They helped provide this young man with mentoring when he would run around with the wrong people. At age 12, he moved in with his great grandfather, and United Way continued to support him,” said Carrico. “Because of their support, this young man is the first to ever graduate from college in his family. He played professional sports, became a successful father, and grew up to be an executive for a major company in the Midwest. That young man is me, and I could not have done it without people like you taking your time to make a difference in somebody's lives. So, the work that you do impacts people, it changes lives. Thank you for what you do each and every day.”
One example of the United Way of Porter County supporting children in the community during Day of Caring occurred at the Boys and Girls Club on Jefferson St. in Valparaiso. United Way of Porter County and Peoples Bank partnered up to clear out old materials and trash from the historic building in downtown Valparaiso.
Mark Jones, vice president of Club Services for Boys and Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana, gave thanks to United Way for its support over the years.
“We appreciate all the help that we're getting. We're moving into a new building next year,” said Jones.
The Boys and Girls Club will be moving to a new facility next year on Evans Avenue in Valparaiso.
Volunteers helped move garbage from the third floor of the building down to a dumpster outside. When they quickly moved through that work, they began to move old wooden benches from the gym to the dumpster.
“We appreciate the help from the volunteers cleaning out a building that's over 100 years old,” said Jones. “Getting ready for a move is a lot of work and we appreciate the help.”
Maggie Beezhold, Kidstop director for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana, commended the Peoples Bank volunteers for doing such great work.
“I'm impressed. They're moving very quickly, and they are doing a lot of work,” said Beezhold. “It is something that I'm so grateful for. It's nice to get all this stuff out of storage and redo all the rooms so we can have the best last year in the building before moving into our new facility.”
Beezhold also expresses gratitude for the United Way of Porter County and Peoples Bank’s continual support for the Boys and Girls Club.
“United Way has been a huge partner and supporter of ours. So, they've helped us with events like Day of Caring all the way to helping us with membership fees. They've just been a very solid partner throughout our entire time here,” said Beezhold. “Peoples Bank has also been a huge supporter of the Boys and Girls Club throughout the years. To have you all nine of them here today to volunteer their time, especially on a Friday, is awesome.”
Don Evans, vice president of Peoples Bank, is happy to give back with his team year after year for the Day of Caring and encourages Region residents to also give back through partnership with the United Way of Porter County.
“If someone's thinking about doing it next year, they should do it and not hesitate because it's really a rewarding experience,” said Evans. “I would encourage everybody to get involved.”
To learn more about United Way of Porter County’s Day of Caring, visit https://www.unitedwaypc.org/Day-Caring.
