Volunteers gathered on a recent Saturday to do good throughout local neighborhoods during the 13th annual Make A Difference Delaware County (MDDC) – the county’s single largest day of volunteering.
Volunteers of all ages and abilities started the day at this year’s kickoff sites at Camp Lazarus in Delaware, OH and Jessica Forman’s State Farm Insurance Office in Sunbury, OH. Following breakfast and project assignments, volunteers were dispatched to 54 homes of older adults around the county.
Joe Lamparyk and his two sons return every year to help at MDDC and says that “this is a great program and the clients are so grateful.” Lamparyk and his family washed windows and raked leaves for an older adult and is looking forward to bringing their family’s “can do” attitude to next year’s event.
First-time volunteer Robinet Smith attended the event and says, “I enjoyed being engaged and helping make a difference in someone else’s life.”
Lamparyk and Smith were among over 220 volunteers who braved the rainy weather and helped with outdoor chores such as raking leaves, washing windows, removing overgrowth and, collecting trash and debris.
In total, an estimated 660 hours were contributed to this year’s MDDC valued at $16,784 to the community according to Connections Volunteer Center, who organizes the annual county-wide event.
Colleen Dennis, MDDC Coordinator, says she is in awe by the number of people, of all ages, that give up a Saturday to make this event such as success every year.
”Seeing all the volunteers, both those we see every year and the new people is amazing,” said Dennis. “Contributing a few hours on a Saturday morning may not seem like much, but our volunteers allow older adults to safely stay in their homes as many don’t have family around to help with these tasks. When the volunteers return to camp after volunteering, a little dirty, a little tired, they are proud of what they accomplished and how they made a difference.”
Special thanks to the 2019 MDDC sponsors: SourcePoint, HelpLine, IronMan Foundation, United Way of Delaware County, Modern Woodman-Amanda Mowry, State Farm-Jessica Forman, Meijer, The Home Depot and Camp Lazarus.
Next year’s MDDC is set for Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 – rain or shine. For more information, contact Dennis at 740.363.5000 or visit ConnectionsVolunteerCenter.org.
Photo: Small hands make a big impact as youth volunteers Avery Taylor, Annalia Taylor and Cohen Harris participate during 2019 Make A Difference Delaware County sponsored by Connections Volunteer Center.
