Published in the Akron Beacon Journal and on Ohio.com
It’s not uncommon to see empty offices in Akron on a Friday during summer months. And this Friday was no exception.
The difference this week was that the 1,400 or so missing workers were out in the community as part of the United Way’s Day of Action.
Workers from 75 companies set aside their business meetings, cellphones and daily routines to fan out to 100 work sites in Summit County to assist others.
“We are excited to engage over 1,400 volunteers in improving our community in one day of great impact,” United Way President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Mullen said. “We want to thank all our corporate and community partners for their commitment and partnership in our collaborative community work.”
It is estimated that the work, which ranged from sprucing up the Glendale Cemetery to helping put up a fence at the Lake Anna YMCA, saved area nonprofits about $195,000 in labor costs.
FirstEnergy Corp., the Day of Action’s annual sponsor, sent its workers to the Summit County Historical Society and the Glendale Cemetery.
Workers from Malco Products helped plant and landscape a playground at the Green YMCA.
Malco’s President and CEO Stuart Glauberman, who is chairing the United Way’s 2015 fundraising campaign, couldn’t be happier that his workers were out of the office and in the community.
Glauberman traveled around the county to thank those who volunteered their time and energy.
“There is no better way to spend the day than thanking those who care about our community,” he said.
Other projects included clearing the hiking trails at the Girl Scouts camp Ledgewood and helping to rebuild a porch at South Street Ministries.