United Way Day of Action boosts community
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STEUBENVILLE -- Bringing members of the community together and making sure those who are in need of assistance know where they can go for services are things the United Way of Jefferson County seeks to do.
It’s important work, according to Marci Snyder Crawford.
“That’s my thing. When I came into this position, I came in with all of these ideas,” said Crawford, who has served as the executive director of the United Way of Jefferson County for a little more than a year. “I’ve learned one thing: It’s not what the United Way can do for Jefferson County, but how can I show Jefferson County what we can accomplish as a whole.
“We do dwell on some of the struggles,” she added. “There are many struggles, but I think we are in an uptick. I think there are going to be some good things happening. There are so many good people who want to help. There really are.”
Many of those volunteers and other people who are looking to improve the area will come together on Aug. 27, when the United Way holds its annual Day of Action. Apollo Pro Cleaning and Restoration is presenting the breakfast with help from Northwest Title.
There’s a new location -- Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, which is located at the corner of South Fourth and South streets in downtown Steubenville. This year’s event will open when registration begins at 8 a.m., with breakfast prepared by church members to follow at 8:30 a.m. After the campaign kickoff presentation, around 150 volunteers will spread out to help at locations across the area.
The work covers a lot of different things: There are painting projects, light construction projects, cleaning projects and projects that include assembling furniture and equipment. Those are things that often get put on hold as nonprofits go about their day-to-day efforts.
“I’m really excited,” Crawford said. “A lot of these nonprofits are boots on the ground. And when they operate that way, they don’t have time to worry about things falling apart, cleaning out closets and getting that type of stuff done. This is where the community can give back to these nonprofits in a non-monetary way.”
Projects have been scheduled for at least 10 nonprofits, including Urban Mission Ministries, Historic Fort Steuben, Homeward Bound, the WEBA Food Pantry, the ALIVE Inc. shelter, the Ohio Valley Health Center, the Sycamore Youth Center, the Red Cross, the Saline Township Food Pantry and the Aim Women’s Center. Crawford said there’s a possibility the list could grow before the Day of Action.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering can get information by visiting the United Way’s website, unitedway-jc.org. Stepping up to help the area nonprofits is a way that allows everyone to show their support.
“Money is tight for everybody,” Crawford said. “This way, if you don’t have the money to donate to a nonprofit or anything like that, you can give them your time. It’s a way for the community to come together and just help all of these nonprofits in that way. It shows what happens when a community comes together. I think some problems just seem so big, but if members of the community all rally together, then things can be accomplished.”
Some of those who volunteer ask to be assigned to certain projects at certain places, while others are willing to go wherever they are needed. In either case, some of those who have helped have developed relationships with the various agencies. Crawford pointed to the volunteers from the Business Before Breakfast events that are held by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, who usually request to help at the Ohio Valley Health Center.
She discussed other examples of connections that have been built through the effort.
“Last year, I sent volunteers from the Jefferson County Phoenix Program to the Saline Township Food Pantry, and that program has helped them continuously throughout the year,” Crawford explained. “Rhonda Householder, who runs the pantry, would contact them and they would come out on a regular basis.”
That adult recovery program, which is coordinated by Jefferson County Common Pleas Judge Michelle Miller, is just one example.
“It’s building those relationships,” Crawford said. “Last year, I had volunteers from AEP go to Aim and now they have a relationship. Volunteers from the Wal-Mart Distribution Center went to the Sycamore Center, and they have a relationship. Because of the Day of Action, relationships have been built between nonprofits and businesses.”
Each of the nonprofits that will be participating is required to obtain the materials that will be needed for the work, Crawford said. And some will provide lunch for those who have helped.
Connecting agencies with businesses and members of the community is important, said Crawford. She said that is especially this year, when eight nonprofits are expected to be added to the United Way’s list of partner agencies.
“I feel like this is what we are made for,” she said. “You have a way to build awareness of the nonprofits, and I think that’s one of the perks of being a part of the United Way. Building those relationships with the community and letting people know what they do is critical. That’s one of the things the Day of Action does.”
An event like the Day of Action helps to showcase the good things that are happening throughout the area.
“There are good businesses, there are good people and there are amazing agencies out there, and they are all wanting to step up,” Crawford said. “This will be a day to reflect on all of that and show what a community can do when everyone comes together.”