Buildings improved by the hands of area businesses

By CHRIS BROWN / Journal Staff Writer

CHARLES TOWN — Sarah Koontz had sore muscles and a sense of accomplishment to show for her volunteer efforts as a part of the annual United Way Day of Caring activities Tuesday.

And the work didn’t go unappreciated.

“(The volunteers) were just marvelous,” said Saundra Moreland, project manager at the Shepherdstown Day Care Center, where volunteers from the Bank of Charles Town helped to repaint, repair fixtures and clean. Koontz was one of the volunteers from the bank, where she works as a commercial loans operator.

Several other charities and local organizations also benefited from volunteer labor during the day’s volunteerism initiative, in Jefferson County and other areas in the Eastern Panhandle.

Connie Schaffer, project manager at Good Shepherd Interfaith Caregivers in Shepherdstown, said that volunteers had power-washed the front porch, and were repainting the front office. Workers also erected a much-needed new sign, according to Schaffer, who also works as the volunteer coordinator for Good Shepherd.

“We’ve been here 16 years and never had a sign ... we’re really excited,” Schaffer said.

Carol Asam, president of the Shepherdstown Visitors Center, was busy directing volunteers in repainting, cleaning and reorganizing efforts at the center.

Asam said the autumn is Shepherdstown’s busiest season, and that she wanted the town’s visitors center to be ready.

“We’re trying to make the face of Shepherdstown a little more welcoming,” said Shepherdstown councilwoman and volunteer Cindy Cook.

Jane Tarner, vice president of the Jefferson County Animal Welfare Society, said that volunteers from Norm Thompson Outfitters had been very busy at the shelter, cleaning sheds, fixing wire kennels and performing general maintenance duties.

Tarner said that volunteers from Norm Thompson had worked at the shelter on Day of Caring for the last five or six years. She said that their big project last year was the construction of the new pavilion at the shelter, so this year volunteers only needed to do light repairs.

“We’re just trying to spruce up (the shelter),” Tarner said.

— Staff writer Chris Brown can be reached at 725-6581, or at cbrown@journal-news.net

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