A Marine’s legacy continues: Centre Commissioners acknowledge Day of Caring
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BELLEFONTE -- Thirty years ago, retired Marine Colonel Gerald Russell brought together the community to volunteer their time for local non-profits.
Russell was an active leader of the event and was passionate in his belief that community members should assist area agencies beyond supporting them financially. Russell passed away in 2014 at the age of 97.
Russell's legacy of helping will continue in 2023.
The Centre County United Way -- powered by PNC -- is holding its annual Day of Caring on Thursday, Oct. 5.
This one-day event starts with breakfast at the Bryce Jordan Center at around 7:30 a.m. before the volunteers are moved to their job sites.
The Centre County United Way has a huge list of projects across Centre County ranging from landscaping and general clean-up to helping to paint or organize indoor spaces.
Paula Williams and Celesta Powell, with Centre County United Way, attended the Centre County Commissioners' meeting to speak about the day and what they have planned.
"Currently we have around 49 sites that have registered with us across Centre County, and just under 1,000 volunteers. A lot of them are young... They're pretty phenomenal. We also have some skilled groups around the area that are taking on some bigger projects," said Powell.
The event, according to Williams, would never be possible if it weren’t for their hundreds of volunteers.
"The Day of Caring is a critical day in Centre County. We're very fortunate that so many volunteers sign up and so many of our partner agencies and other organizations come together to ask for some help," said Williams.
Nonprofit agencies and organizations are invited every year to submit project proposals that fit agency guidelines. There is a relatively long list of requirements for eligibility or review such as:
-- All projects must benefit a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency. Projects for an individual will be considered if they are submitted by an agency representative who will oversee the project.
-- Agencies are invited to submit more than one project.
-- Every Project Proposal will require the contact information for two key individuals: the primary contact and the site coordinator. The primary contact is the liaison with the United Way from the application and review process through the planning season. The site coordinator is required to be on-site at the project during the full Day of Caring. Note: these two roles can be filled by the same individual.
"When you are taking care of people and you are helping people, the last thing you have is the yard, the leaky fence, the new roof, the extra things. When Day of Caring happens and people come out and say, 'I've never stained a deck before but I'll do it today' you have an outpouring that is such a mutual relationship. It's wonderful," said Powell.
Commissioner Amber Concepcion commented that she was familiar with the event.
"I think in county services we're often working with families that have multiple, different kinds of needs. It seems the kind of care that you're providing can go a long way to filling some of those gaps," said Concepcion.
Commissioner Steven Dershem spoke about the history of the event, speaking about his personal connection with Russell.
"Colonel Russel (was) near and dear to a lot of our hearts and probably one of the better souls that ever walked this earth when it comes to community service, public service and sacrifice for the country. This was near and dear to him and I think the impact that it's had over the last 30 years is phenomenal," said Dershem.
Chairman Mark Higgins thanked Powell and Williams for attending the meeting and praised them for their efforts in the community.
"It's 49 different sites primarily concentrating on infrastructure - painting, repair. Because a lot of our nonprofits focus on caring for people and trying to make things better, they kind of forget about that deck, painting the building, keeping the parking lot in good repair, raking the leaves, all the many things you have to do when you're stretched for dollars and resources," said Higgins.
Those who may be interested in volunteering can still do so. Go to ccunitedway.org to register yourself or your team. T-shirt orders were submitted on Sept. 11; anyone registering at this point in time will not be guaranteed a T-shirt.
"It makes me a little crazy but I never turn down a set of hands," said Powell.