Time well spent

Volunteers spread their skills to help the community

Employees from Lexington, Ky., volunteered their time at five sites during the campus Day of Giving.

God's Pantry Food Bank
Each year, the food bank provides assistance to more than 211,000 people in the 50-county service area. Ashland volunteers spent the day repackaging donated bulk-packaged macaroni noodles into smaller, more manageable four-pound bags for distribution throughout the community. Splitting into two teams, one group scooped, bagged, weighed and packaged the newly filled family-friendly sized bags, while the second group created labels for the macaroni and attached them to bags.

"I'm extremely proud of my coworkers, who really embraced the spirit of volunteering. The feedback I've received has been completely positive, and I'm looking forward to helping continue this tradition next year," said John McGee, customer service supervisor and Lexington campus coordinator for the Day of Giving.

What macaroni by the pallet looks like.

The dedicated food-scoopers and packagers moved more than two pallets worth of macaroni.

"It was a rewarding experience to know our efforts were making a difference in the community. I've volunteered for God's Pantry for several years and with each year, the experience keeps getting better. It's a fun day working side-by-side with coworkers and to know you're helping a good cause only heightens the experience," said Dana Hammonds, customer service representative.

Habitat for Humanity
Volunteers assisted in cleaning and organizing their warehouse and cleaning the grounds, helping Habitat start its next building season more efficiently.

"I enjoyed working with Habitat for Humanity again this year. I have participated for several years and I do it because it is a meaningful way to give back to our community and truly change someone's life for the better," said Markus Williams, systems specialist. "It's not every day that you can make such a big difference in a relatively small way. I encourage everyone to participate at least one time in your life; you will receive more than you give."

Faith Feeds of Kentucky
Volunteers picked apples and pears and assisted in delivering them to agencies for distribution. Faith Feeds is part of United Way of the Bluegrass.

"We had a lot of fun working together. It's good to know that what we're doing is helping a good cause, too," said Angie Martin, customer service representative

The Nature Conservancy
Volunteers helped maintain the trails at the Jim Beam Nature Preserve. "I really enjoyed the trail clearing work our group provided to the Nature Conservancy. It was very rewarding being able to see the end result and to know we are cleaning up our environment and providing a place for others to enjoy, said Karol Bailey, credit specialist. "I am grateful to have been a part of such a good cause and work with great people."

All God's Children
Volunteers helped prepare the United Way agency's group home for the winter.

"While we did not get to meet any of the residents of All God's Children, we got a good deal of insight into what the girls have experienced in their lives," said Angela Slack, IT consultant. "It made me feel good to know the staff at the facility is helping to ensure the girls each have some positive childhood experiences while they are there, and hopefully this will help them be better mothers to their own children."