Lots of workers turn out for valley volunteer day

by Kerri Sandaine
Saturday June 20, 2009
Reprinted with permission from the
Lewiston Tribune

Twin County United Way's annual Day of Caring drew a record number of volunteers Friday to help at non-profit organizations, such as Family Promise day center in Lewiston. Several ATK employees tackled yard work at the temporary shelter for homeless families.

Day of Caring helps local non-profit agencies.

Rain didn't stop volunteers in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley from mobilizing Friday to mow, mulch and make a difference.

A record number of people turned out for Twin County United Way's annual Day of Caring to lend a helping hand to local non-profit agencies, said Angie Titus, executive director. Teams from a dozen local companies tackled projects such as painting, yard work, cleaning and computer work throughout the community.

"We had 76 people," Titus said. "Everybody was so generous and so kind and willing to get their hands dirty and help. This year has been over and above for Day of Caring."

At the Family Promise day center, Scott Wise was inside painting after completing some yard work. His regular job is in the accounting department at ATK, and he was volunteering on his day off. He and his wife, Alison Rude of Avista, enjoy participating in the annual event whenever they can, he said. Rude was working at Homes of Hope.

"This is definitely a challenge for me," Wise said as he painted around a door window. "I'm more of a numbers guy. It's fun to do, though, and we have a good crew."

Robin Hunt, who works in information technology at ATK, was also sprucing up the temporary shelter for homeless families. "I like it," she said. "It helps you give back to the community. There's a lot of good things happening in the valley that have been needed for a long time, and I want to help and support that."

Toni Kraut, a Family Promise board member, was doing deep cleaning in the house, along with the crew. She said the volunteers helped tremendously and got some big jobs done Friday morning, such as removing an oversized bush.

"They had to work in the rain," Titus said, "but they were ready to work and ready to help with anything they could. I think our non-profit organizations were really impressed with the amount of work that got done."