Posted on May 25, 2018
On May 23, 15 staff members from HumanKind volunteered for the annual Day of Caring. They specifically worked on projects created by Mary Bethune Academy and Frank Roane Apartments. These projects included clean-up, facilitating crafts, landscaping and activities for kids.
This was HumanKind’s first year volunteering on Day of Caring. According to Ruth Blanks, Director of Special Events and Volunteers, they decided to give back after all of the years they’ve received volunteer help on Day of Caring.
“As an organization we value opportunities to serve and be active in our community so this is an exciting partnership led by our friends at the United Way of Central Virginia,” Blanks said. “The event reminds us that when we work together and focus our efforts around serving others we really can do more.”
As HK employees were serving other businesses, several volunteered their time on HK’s main and Midtown office. There were eight volunteers representing Genworth and Nationwide and they spent their time organizing our emergency food pantry.
On main campus, 15 volunteers from Genworth arrived that morning. The volunteers spread mulch throughout main campus and its historic buildings as tidying up the walking paths which are near the fishing pond.
On main campus, the volunteers from Genworth brought a positive energy for Day of Caring despite the warm weather. Linda Austin, Genworth Customer Service Representative emphasized how important Day of caring is to her.
“It’s the Genworth Way,” Austin said. “We give back to our community to show we care and support the people where we live.”
For some of the Genworth employees, this wasn’t their first time at HumanKind’s campus. According to Lee Glover, a Genworth employee, he learned how to swim in the pool in front of the administration building. Glover attended Camp Timothy in the summer when growing up where they teach water safety and swimming. To this day, Camp Timothy still comes to use the pool every summer at HK.
Besides Genworth, there were three other volunteer groups presents: VA Legal Aid, Nationwide and AXA Advisors.
Jeremy White was the group leader for VA Legal Aid and he brought his three children to volunteer as well. According to White, this was a great opportunity to show his children the importance of giving back to the community.
“Working for a nonprofit myself knowing the need and the value of volunteers, I wanted to give back with my own time,” White said.
HK would like to extend a thank you to all of the volunteers who came out to support our mission by volunteering.
“HumanKind has been fortunate enough to have benefited from Day of Caring volunteers for many years and we see the value in the support,” Blanks said. “We believe it is important to go out and support other non-profit partners who are doing great work in the community.”
