United Way of Pettis County is planning its annual Day of Action, which will kick off at 7 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at Katy Park.
On the Day of Action, volunteer teams help with submitted projects throughout Pettis County. This year, United Way is hoping for 300 volunteers. As of April 29, the organization was around a third of the way to that goal.
Executive Director Rachelle Simon said she needs volunteer teams to sign up by Friday, May 10. Volunteer teams can consist of two to 30 people, and a 30-person group will be split into two teams.
"Like a family, a business, an organization, a church," Simon noted. "Anybody can sign up as a team.
"Sometimes it's just a small project that somebody needs," she continued. "It not only brings help but also brings community. We have big projects, small projects."
United Way is also looking for anyone who has construction skills, specifically someone who can lay carpet.
"That's a specialized skill," Simon noted. "There are those specific skills, like light construction skills. Like building handrails, we have a lot of requests for handrails for elderly folks. I work on the backend to make sure materials are provided."
United Way will host a team leader meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at County Distributing Co. Inc., 1800 Eagle View Drive.
"The idea is by then, I'm able to partner projects with teams," she explained. "If you're the team leader, you know what your project is (and) you have a month to meet (the project's people) to see what the project is."
Simon said the Day of Action will take place from 7 a.m. to noon; teams should be at their project area by 7:30 a.m. The Sedalia Altrusa Club is providing breakfast for volunteers, and there will also be a free lunch.
"We already have 30 project applications," Simon noted. "So, the need is great. The cool thing is now people know about it, which is awesome. There are a lot of individuals who physically or financially can't keep up with their homes.
"There are a lot of widowed, older people who used to be able to do things around their house but can't," she continued. “There are folks who want to keep up their houses but don't have the finances."
She added that some individuals may be able to provide the supplies but not the labor. Volunteers will help with all those things.
"We are also helping a church," Simon said. "Which is great; it's a nonprofit. It is open to individuals and nonprofits. So, churches are getting older sometimes, too. We're going to help them clean up their space."
Simon added that the idea of the Day of Action is to highlight that while people may be able to give at a certain point in life, they sometimes need to receive.
"It's a chance to bring everybody together and get a bunch of needs met," Simon added. "We are also doing free smoke detector installation. Anybody living in Pettis County who wants smoke detectors, we will install them for free that day.”
Residents must fill out a form on the United Way of Pettis County website by the end of May to receive a free smoke detector during the Day of Action.
Simon added that United Way can do much in five hours, but it takes a lot of organization.
"We have an awesome Day of Action Committee that helps plan every year," Simon noted. "And we have a lot of returning teams this year. Dugan's Paint donates all the painting materials — we got a lot of great folks who do donations."
To sign up as a volunteer for the United Way of Pettis County's Day of Action, visit spcuw.org or call 660-826-2980.
Faith Bemiss-McKinney can be reached at 660-530 0289.
