ASHLAND — On Thursday afternoon, approximately 200 volunteers spread out across Ashland County to help older residents with yard work and other home improvement projects.
Equipped with rakes, ladders and determination to make a difference despite COVID-19, the volunteers donated their time for the 26th annual United of Ashland County’s annual Kay Conrad Day of Caring.
“We felt so committed to this day of service to the community. We have seniors that count on us to help them get ready for the winter, get those leaves raked, things they can’t do,” said Stacy Schiemann, executive director for the United Way of Ashland County. “We thought if there was one event we could do, it’d be this one. We could do it safely.”
The event allowed for social distancing. The United Way canceled its traditional lunch program for volunteers and instead asked volunteer team captains to drive through Ashland University’s Upper Convocation Center parking lot to pick up boxed lunches for their teams and supplies for the day.
Volunteer teams would then gather to complete yard work and small exterior jobs at two or three Ashland County homes. They were limited to outside work only and asked to wear masks.
“The numbers are a little lower than usual, but we sort of expected that because so many employers are trying to keep their workforce safe,” Schiemann said.
The 200 volunteers would serve 80 Ashland County residents throughout the day, she continued.
“I did it last year for the first time and I really enjoyed helping people who can’t get out and do this kind of thing anymore, so I came back,” said Tonya Petry of Appleseed Community Mental Health Center as she emptied a potted plant for an Ashland resident.
She and her team were assisting Mary Lochmandy, who requested help for the first time this year.
“I try to do the best I can, but I thought I could use some help,” Lochmandy said. “Most of my windows I can clean from the inside, but some need cleaned from the outside, the bushes need trimmed and a few pots need dumped and hauled to the shed. And if even a third of that gets done, it’d help.”
Referrals for this program are made primarily through United Way Partner Agencies such as Ashland County Council on Aging, The Salvation Army Kroc Center, Associated Charities, Ashland County Cancer Association and others. United Way of Ashland County matches home requests and volunteer teams to provide the services requested by the resident.
The Kay Conrad Day of Caring was the vision of the late Kay Conrad, who felt that volunteerism and service to others is the cornerstone for a strong community. Volunteer teams this year are comprised of local businesses, partner agencies, clubs and residents.
All areas of the county were reached with teams located in Ashland, West Salem, Loudonville, Perrysville, and Jeromesville.
