Day of Caring, day of sharing-Community comes together to give back

By Naomi Smoot / Journal Staff Writer

Nicole Schwab, right, and Jennifer Barney from the U.S. Coast Guard rake up trimmings of ivy. (Journal photo by Martin B. Cherry)

CHARLES TOWN - A light rain fell from darkened skies Tuesday morning, but it wasn't enough to dampen the spirits of those participating in the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle's annual Day of Caring.

"The rain hasn't hurt anything," said volunteer Wendy Rhoads as she took a break from painting at the Boys and Girls Club of Jefferson County that morning.

Rhoads was one of 30 community members who showed up to assist at the site that day. Helpers came from the U.S. Coast Guard facility, the Charles Town Rotary and the Kable Team real estate agency, as well as from the Boys and Girls Club itself, officials said.

The volunteers helped trim hedges, weed flower beds and landscape. Others painted the building's interior and cleaned up inside the facility.

It was one of dozens of projects going on that day in an attempt to make the community a better place, and participants seemed happy to be involved.

"It's great to come out and give back to your community," said Rose Stevenson of the Charles Town Rotary Club. "This is where we live."

Stevenson said the group participated in the Day of Caring last year. It had rained that day as well, she noted. Still, the volunteers didn't let the inclement weather stop them on either occasion from helping to make their community a little bit brighter place.

And it didn't stop members of the Shepherd University women's basketball team from taking part in their own Day of Caring projects either. Team members spent part of their morning spreading mulch at Bane-Harris Park in Shepherdstown.

"Our team's really big on doing community service," said senior Colleen Shumaker. "We try to do it (Day of Caring) every year."

Some of the teammates said they had been up since shortly after 5 a.m. in order to attend practice and then make it to the park for their community service project. Team members said they were tired as they raked mulch shortly before 11 a.m. that day, maybe even a little sore. Still, they wanted to give back.

And Frank Welch, Shepherdstown public works director, said that their work was greatly appreciated.

"They do a great job," he said.

- Staff writer Naomi Smoot can be reached at (304) 725-6581 or nsmoot@journal-news.net