DAY OF ACTION

STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH & PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAKE MARTIN AREA UNITED WAY

Day of Action: A day when the community joins forces to get things done through highly visible and coordinated action that draws awareness and requires accountability. United Way Worldwide began Day of Action as a way to get the community to harness the volunteer spirit and improve the communities in which they live.

UWW hosts Day of Action on summer solstice or June 21 every year. As the longest day of summer, more actions can be completed on this day. But not all United Ways choose summer solstice as their day of action. Lake Martin Area United Way usually hosts Day of Action the Thursday just before June 21 due to convenience for volunteers. But this year, even that was different.

“Because of summer school, we held our Day of Action on the Friday morning of June 18, and we had a group on the Saturday before, too, which has never happened,” said Lake Martin Area United Way Executive Director Sharon Fuller. “Typically, we have worked at the schools, but this year we had some projects that were not typical. We helped a 84-year-old lady who needed a ramp and built that for her. We also did yard work, mowing and trimming bushes, for a 96-year-old veteran, as well as cleaning Main Street and the surrounding area here in Alexander City.”

Aside from the aforementioned projects, the community uses Day of Action as an opportunity to get down and dirty. They participate in projects that require painting, building, digging in the dirt, pulling weeds, pressure washing, blowing off parking lots and sidewalks and so much more.

“The people in our community would rather get outside and get hot and sweaty pulling weeds than go sit in a cool room and read books to children. So we take advantage of that every chance we get,” Fuller said. “The schools love it and appreciate the help,” said Courtney Layfield, marketing and community initiatives director at Lake Martin Area United Way. “They have limited resources, and if we can off-set those expenses by getting volunteers to paint something, build something or pull weeds, then that can be very helpful for them.”

“I believe we’ve painted in every school, other than Edward Bell, in Tallapoosa and Coosa County,” said Fuller. “Edward Bell is on our radar.”

But painting and pulling weeds are not the only types of volunteer action LMAUW has going on for Day of Action, they also offer kid-friendly cleaning opportunities as well.

“We had 96 volunteers this year,” Fuller said. “Teachers,

principals even assistant principals will roll up their sleeves and get to work with us. We would love to see more students.”

Both Fuller and Layfield recognize the opportunity that Day of Action, and other volunteer opportunities bring to the community and would love to see the younger generations come out to participate as well.

“Volunteering with United Way is a great way to source community service hours that so many students need to meet graduation or scholarship requirements,” Layfield said. “Day of Action is an easy four hours of volunteer time, and we encourage participation.”

“We literally have something for everyone,” Fuller said.

“Radney Elementary School and Horseshoe Bend School are in for quite a treat. We did a lot of work there this year,” Layfield said.

Community Contributions The LMAUW is fortunate to have Facing Page: Marley McCollum, Abbey Burns, Brantley Shields, Sharon sponsors that help, whether through Moore, Teya Waites, Sharon Fuller, Stacey Jeffcoat, Donna Keel, Ann monetary contributions or in-kind Hardman; Charlotte Blubaugh, Terry James, Andrew Lamberth, Eddie Colon, Bobby Reeves, Jason Weldon, Tucker Nall and Zenene Humphrey-Davis volunteered their time to work on Main Street and at United Way; Counter clockwise from Top Left: Carey Atkinson, Jim Davis, Brad Oliver helped build Mrs. Brown's ramp; Paislee Sharpe, Holland Gamble, Alisa Foreman, Maddie donations. “We are so grateful to our sponsors. They provide water and snacks for our volunteers, amongst many other tools and supplies, Smith, Harper Hunter completed projects at Horseshoe Bend School; Lily, and most of them volunteer themselves, for Emme and Tammy Jackson worked at Main Street United Way; Stephanie which we are immensely grateful,” Fuller Kendrick and Vincent Ellison volunteered their time at Radney Elementary said. School; Ken Childs, Anita Perez, Hugo Perez, Ken Cowart, Edgar Bailey, Sponsors of this year’s Day of Action were Gracie Stewart, Michael Johnson spent time on Day of Action manicuring Mr. Childs, a 96-year-old veteran, yard. Commissioner T.C. Coley, Commissioner John McKelvey, Alabama Paper and Supply, Home Depot of Alexander City, Church of the Highlands: Auburn Campus, Lake Martin Signature Construction, Russell Lands and the Disabled American Veterans Alex City. “We also received a grant from Enbridge – they are part of the pipeline – called the Fueling Futures grant,” Layfield said. “Part of that grant went to Day of Action, and part of it goes to the reading program.” LMAUW is always looking for volunteers, for huge opportunies like Day of Action or to come in and fold T–shirts or answer telephones at the local office. They hope to be able to have their fundraisers this year and always welcome volunteers to help. There is something for everyone, Fuller said. For more information or to volunteer please contact Courtney Layfield or Sharon Fuller at 256-329-3600 or visit unitedwaylakemartin.org.