Volunteers needed: Organizers plan Day of Caring projects

Published 2:56 pm Friday, March 19, 2021

A thriving community is a reflection of those willing to step in when needed and Vicksburg will have the opportunity to show they are up to the task during the United Way of West Central Mississippi Day of Caring.

“Day of Caring was established to promote the spirit and value of volunteerism,” said United Way director of marketing & resource development Alesia Shaw. “It was also designed to increase the awareness of local human service agencies and demonstrate how people working together for the good of the community can accomplish great things.”

The single-day event, which brings together individuals and teams of volunteers from local businesses to help non-profit organizations, Shaw said, will be on April 29. Those interested in participating will work in collaboration with United Way partner agencies that submitted a project list.

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Partner agencies asking for volunteers to help include Good Shepherd, Vicksburg Family Development, Haven House Family Shelter, the Salvation Army, Community Council of Warren County and Grace Christian Counseling Center.

Volunteers are also needed, Shaw said, for United Way projects.

In addition to needing volunteers to help with partner agency projects, the United Way is asking everyone to clean up their respective neighborhoods as well as write chalk art messages on their driveways in recognition of Day of Caring. Examples include “Live United” and “Be the Change — Live United.”

For more information or to volunteer for Day of Caring, call 601-636-1733 or email alesia@unitedwayvicksburg.org.

 

Day of Caring projects:

On-site project at United Way Office

  • Reorganize donations: 5 volunteers needed

Off-site United Way projects

  • Assemble literacy kits: 3-5 volunteers needed — materials provided
  • Assemble hygiene kits: 3-5 volunteers needed — materials provided
  • Letter writing to essential, frontline workers: volunteers — materials provided
  • Senior citizen notes to help lift their spirits: volunteers — materials provided
  • Positive chalk art on your driveway, take a picture and post on social media: volunteers
  • Clean up your neighborhood
  • Bookmarks: 1-2 volunteers — supplies provided by UW
  • Label telemarketing return envelopes: two volunteers — supplies provided by UW
  • Label books for Excel by 5: two volunteers — supplies provided by UW

On-site project at Good Shepherd

  • 10-15 volunteers needed
  • Pressure wash concrete drive, all sidewalks and playground equipment
  • Sweep all gravel off of concrete
  • Clean out room above the stairs
  • Form concrete slab for dumpster area and replace surrounding fence
  • Plant shrubs in small flowerbed near playground

On-site project at The Salvation Army

  • 10-15 volunteers needed
  • Load bagged clothing and shoes into a semi-truck
  • Clear out and organize storage shed
  • Clear out the parking lot and re-paint lines
  • Clear weeds and spray weed killer

On-site project at Vicksburg Family Development

  • 10 volunteers needed
  • Painting, cleaning and organizing offices
  • Filing
  • Organize the storage room
  • Clean outside area: raking leaves and pressure washing concrete
  • All supplies /Materials provided by VFD

On-site project at Haven House

  • 10 volunteers needed
  • Remove items and clean out outdoor storage shed
  • Remove tree limbs and branches
  • Pressure wash sidewalks and patio
  • Skills needed: lift 20lbs/ operate a pressure washer/ operate a chain saw
  • Volunteer provides: tools/chainsaw/pressure washer/gloves/4contractor bags

Off-site project for The Salvation Army:

  • 5-10 volunteers
  • Clear out and organize storage unit
  • Bring your own work gloves

On-site project at Community Council of Warren County

  • 4 volunteers needed
  • Decorate doors of our HDM clients at Stonewood Apartments
  • Special skills needed: crafty
  • Bring a step stool

On-site project at Grace Christian Counseling Center

  • 5-7 volunteers needed
  • Clean out flower beds and pot plants
  • Bring gardening tools if you have them

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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