EATON — Dozens of volunteers descended on Eaton’s streets during the United Way of Greater Dayton’s annual Day of Action on Friday, June 21.
Volunteers put on fresh coats of paint at the local YWCA’s Domestic Violence Shelter in Eaton, as well as the H.I.T. Foundation Homeless Shelter and the Miami Valley Community Action Partnership’s transitional housing facility. Participants also did a little spring cleaning at local seniors’ homes.
Over 50 volunteers were involved, according to Greater Dayton United Way Preble County Director Alexa Joyce. Joyce gave an especially big thank you to employees of local companies like Parker Hannifin, Timken, Silfex, Lawn Plus, and DuPont, as well as the Preble County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the City of Eaton, and the National Trail High School cheerleading squad.
“I’m very pleased with how the Day of Action went this year. Our volunteers accomplished a lot throughout the community in just a short time,” Joyce said. “Which just goes to show what we can do when we’re all working together!”
According to Joyce, United Way’s Day of Action provides opportunities for volunteers, donors and advocates to be part of solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives. Observed by United Way chapters worldwide, the annual event mobilizes tens of thousands of people across the globe.
Joyce said the event has changed a bit since she first became involved in 2017.
“This makes my third year being involved with the Day of Action, and it just keeps getting better every year,” Joyce said. “More people get involved every year and, as a result, more projects get completed.”
The Day of Action is important to the community, Joyce said, because it creates a real connection between donors and the people they help.
“This is a day that connects individuals with the opportunity to give back, and to gain a better understanding of what United Way does in our community,” Joyce said. “Most of the projects we had this year were hosted by United Way partner agencies. This way, our donors get a look inside the programs that their donations help support.”
The most rewarding thing about taking part in the Day of Action, according to Joyce, is that it puts the United Way’s mission center-stage.
“The Day of Action is a great day to pause from the daily hustle of our jobs and lives and just be immersed in giving back,” Joyce said. “I enjoy getting to witness the fellowship among volunteers at each project, the gratitude from the agencies and clients served through these projects, and the chance to get United Way donors and volunteers even more involved.”
