Wet Weather Doesn't Dampen Spirits

By SHERREE CASPER

Journal Staff Writer


MARTINSBURG — Although Mother Nature might not have cooperated Tuesday for the Day of Caring, the spirits of those who volunteered their services across the Eastern Panhandle didn’t appear daunted by the day’s wet weather.

Joanne Wadsworth, chairwoman of the Day of Caring of the Eastern Panhandle, said in the event’s 12-year existence, this was the first time it rained. She said close to 1,100 volunteers worked on more than 100 projects in Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties. And while many outdoor projects had to be postponed for a clearer day, there were no idle hands indoors.

That’s thanks to Trina Bartlett, volunteer coordinator for the United Way and Day of Caring, according to Wadsworth. The Day of Caring is sponsored by the United Way.

“She is making sure people are put to work,” said Wadsworth. “People just want to be a part of this.”

From professionals to students to area leaders and ordinary citizens, many dedicated a few hours to help spruce up nonprofit community agencies around the Panhandle.

Wadsworth estimated 10,000 items of nonperishable food would be delivered to CCAP/Loaves & Fishes Tuesday following the community’s Mega Food Drive, which coincided with the Day of Caring.

“There are some that don’t get a warm meal before they go to bed,” she said.

By 11 a.m. a few thousand pieces had been delivered, said Shirley Jacques, president of the board of directors of CCAP.

Nic Diehl of Martinsburg volunteered to bring in boxes and bags of food from drop-off areas around Berkeley County.

“It’s a no-brainer that the United Way provides services to tens of thousands of people everyday through agencies like CCAP,” Diehl said.

Inside Martinsburg’s food pantry Loaves & Fishes, Chance Michael, a student from St. Joseph’s School, helped sort donated food.

“It’s a chance to help out other people in the community,” the 13-year-old said.

Besides sorting the donated nonperishables, Jacques said the volunteers, a majority of whom were eighth-graders from St. Joseph School, were helping to get the pantry and CCAP office tidied up.

“We’re having a major cleaning of the facility in order to prepare for our 25th anniversary on Sunday,” she said. The CCAP/Loaves & Fishes will mark the milestone at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on Queen Street.

At the Martinsburg Boys & Girls Club, Karen Barrett, an art teacher from Martinsburg High School, supervised art students who helped design and make posters to be displayed in windows at the club.

In her 10th year participating in the Day of Caring, Barrett said it was good to get kids involved with community service..

Using black paint to ink in the “I” in the slogan “It’s all inside,” Grace Manford, a 17-year-old Martinsburg High School student, said she wanted to take part in Tuesday’s event and intends on volunteering next year.

Wadsworth said the nonprofit agencies that are helped by the Day of Caring have the opportunity to educate and develop a new volunteer base.

Volunteers from Martinsburg’s Sunshine Rotary helped paint the club’s game room and hallway. Even before the Day of Caring, the Rotary had adopted the club, said Courtney Munsterman, adding more than $20,000 a year is raised by the organization to help with Boys & Girls Club programs.

Stacie Rohn, unit director for the Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle, Berkeley County Club, said the Day of Caring “gives people who ordinarily might not volunteer (the chance) to learn about other organizations and have a greater sense of community.”

Rohn said that volunteering gives people a sense of ownership.

Jennifer Maggio and Kevin Miller, employees of Quebecor, power washed the porch and siding of the Berkeley County Senior Center.

“It is a rewarding experience,” Maggio said. “It makes you feel good.”

More than a dozen employees from Norm Thompson volunteered to spruce up the Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County’s shelter and office area in Kearneysville.

Bendy Raney, of Martinsburg, said she likes volunteering for animal organizations.

“I just love animals,” said Raney, who spent the day painting and cleaning, among other odd jobs.

Stephanie Pierson, shelter manager for the Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County, said the facility is not the only thing to benefit from the Day of Caring.

“The animals get a little more hands on between the different job duties,” Pierson said.

She said 10 volunteers will come back Thursday to do outside work that couldn’t be done because of the weather.

But rain didn’t stop volunteers who worked at the Shenandoah Women’s Center in Charles Town, according to Peggy Smith, who was project manager there.

“We worked inside and out. We got soaked,” said Smith, who serves as mayor of Charles Town.

From weeding and trimming shrubs to cutting tree branches, volunteers from City National Bank, Independent Fire Company and the Employment Management Company washed windows, cleaned the blinds and baseboards and vacuumed and shampooed rugs.

“Everything on our list was accomplished,” Smith said. “And we started a list for next year.”


— Staff writer Sherree Casper can be reached at (304) 263-3381 ext. 182, (304) 839-1521 or scasper@journal-news.net