by Denise Massie
It was a day of volunteers uniting to give back to the community.
Workers from The Andersons in Walton and Logansport joined forces to help complete a list of tasks two pages in length on Friday during United Way of Cass County’s second Live United Day.
Volunteers started the day out at 8 a.m. and worked non-stop with the exception of a lunch break.
Joe Johnson of The Andersons said participating in Live United Day was important to the workers for one reason.
“We just wanted to give back to the community and help others who are less fortunate,” he said.
The Andersons worked with the United Way to find the perfect project for more than 20 of its employees.
Johnson said the day went well and Mike McCord, vice president of AIM Park, made sure everything was ready to go when volunteers arrived.
“We loaded up the equipment and went right to work,” Johnson said. “There was no loss of time and no loss of effort.”
Volunteers helped build a new bridge, spread mulch on paths which led to the playground and the bridge, added mulch to the playground, cut down weeds, sealed the pavilion area to keep birds out and moved a lot of dirt around.
“Whatever Mike needed us to do,” said Johnson. “Everyone pitched in who could.”
McCord said the help was greatly appreciated, since the park is a nonprofit organization with the goal of giving back to the community. Since the park has not received grants to improve the area, McCord said it relies on volunteers to help complete upgrades.
“We have 3.8 acres of trails out in the woods,” McCord said. “We wanted to get that alive again. Unfortunately there was no way to get there unless we build a bridge.”
After a conversation with Andersons’ employees Wednesday, McCord said he was told to draw out plans for the bridge. By Thursday, the area was being staked. When he realized the volunteers were serious about completing the project, McCord admitted he didn’t think it could all be completed.
“It just touches my heart that someone in the community would do that,” he said. “Something that could have taken months is now complete and ready for spring.”
The project was actually a group effort as the city donated the mulch and Cass County Highway Department delivered it. Shepler Construction donated the needed equipment while other supplies were donated by McCord’s Do It Best Center.
McCord was astonished by the number of workers from The Andersons. He even pointed out the fact the company was paying them to work for him.
“I hope more businesses allow their people to volunteer next year,” he said.
In addition to the landscaping at AIM Park, other volunteers were involved in painting and landscaping at the Cass County Family YMCA, painting the pool house at Camp Buffalo for the Boy Scouts; landscaping and flower bed cleaning at the 4-H Fairgrounds; and painting in the Big Brothers Big Sister of Cass County office.
The day also marked the official kick-off for the United Way’s campaign. This year’s goal is to raise $510,000, with the campaign expected to wrap up Oct. 31.
When the day was over and everything was completed, volunteers felt a sense of accomplishment.
“It feels good and very satisfying,” Johnson said. “I didn’t want to leave it half done. I’m really proud of my guys and what they accomplished.”
• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com
