United Way volunteers fan out on annual Day of Action

STEUBENVILLE -- More than 100 volunteers started their United Way of Jefferson County Day of Action with a prayer, breakfast at Hellenic Hall at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and words of encouragement from United Way board President Tony Mougianis.

A few hours later, the 130 men, women and high school students ended their day with sunburns, sore muscles and a sense of accomplishment.

A Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce crew was assigned to do landscaping work at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jefferson County sign at the Washington Street and Brady Avenue interchange.

The four women were successful in removing weeds, shrubs and rotted railroad ties but needed help cutting down two saplings.

"I put out a call to all chamber landscapers who might have time to help us cut down the trees. Economy Lawn Care quickly responded and hauled everything away, so that was a successful job," said Chamber President Tricia Maple-Damewood.

Terrence Rainbow of the Urban Mission Ministries briefed a group of volunteers from the American Electric Power Cardinal Plant in Brilliant on several projects at the church and the nearby food pantry warehouse.

"We need a couple people to help move items at the food pantry. We want to tile a small room downstairs and paint a room downstairs. And we have wood and directions for shelving in a storage room," said Rainbow.

The volunteers quickly divided up into work crews and started carrying boxes of tile into the church basement and wood onto a side porch where the shelving was assembled.

Meanwhile a large group of adult and high school volunteers assembled at the Steubenville Marina to pick up trash, rake weeds and brush and plant flowers under the direction of Councilwoman at large Kimberly Hahn.

"We are volunteering because it is the right thing to do," noted Jillian Haney, a Steubenville High School student.

Four volunteers from the FirstEnergy Sammis Plant in Stratton were assigned to paint the weight room at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center.

"I visited all of the work sites and I can tell you all of our agencies were very pleased with the amount of work accomplished and with the enthusiasm of the volunteers. I am also very pleased with the number of volunteers," announced United Way of Jefferson County Executive Director Kate Sedgmer.

She noted the volunteer workers also were sent to the A.L.I.V.E. Shelter, YWCA and the American Red Cross offices as well as Mingo Social Services, Smithfield Friends Church Food Pantry, the W.E.B.A. Food Pantry and the United Way of Jefferson County offices.

"We had anticipated about 120 volunteers but we ended up with more than 130 people because we had volunteers just show up to help out. That was encouraging," Sedgmer continued.

"You never realize what a great community we live in until you visit other places. For me, the Day of Action is more of a day of humility and a day of gratitude," said Mougianis.

The 2018 goal for the United Way of Jefferson County campaign is $400,000 to assist 17 area agencies.

"This is the start of our campaign and we need all of you now more than ever," said Sedgmer in her opening remarks.

"Sandy and I are humbled to be part of the United Way. I have been involved with the United Way for the past 40 years. I hope we can new relationships and achieve our goals this year," said campaign Co-Chair Russ Grimm.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)