Original Source - Mesabi Daily News
For community members of the Grand Rapids area, June 19th was a day of volunteer service. The United Way of 1000 Lakes called for a Day of Action, a day dedicated to helping the community. United Way serves for one basic mission, to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities in the Itasca area. With the three pillars of the organization being give, advocate, volunteer, the Day of Action represents everything the United Way stands for. The Day of Action helped to improve four different sites in Grand Rapids: The Children’s Discovery and Judy Garland Museum, field five of the Grand Rapids Sports Complex, the Itasca County Family YMCA garden, and the land for the future Kiesler Wellness Center. At each location a different project was tackled by the hard-working morning and afternoon shifts.
At the Children’s Discovery and Judy Garland Museum projects included beautifying gardens, painting exhibit spaces and the entrance to the museum, and cleaning the windows and walls. The museum, built twelve years ago, was in desperate need of a paint job, and the volunteers of United Way helped to provide this along with many other services.
The Grand Rapids Sports Complex received an upgrade as well. The playing field and dugout of field five were given improvements by Tony Clafton, Jeff Davies and their team.
At the Itasca County Family YMCA projects were held at the garden. The apple trees planted last year by GetFit Itasca needed to be mulched, along with the vegetable patch located nearby. Many eager gardeners were willing to help, and we even picked up a shovel. It felt great to help the local community alongside Carmen Griggs, the site coordinator.
The final project was located on the grounds of the future Kiesler Wellness Center. The land, donated by the Hawkinson family, was full of young White Pines. These trees were carefully lifted from the ground and were transplanted to different locations in the area.
Jack Rajala, an expert on the subject was there to lend a hand, saying the transplanting of the trees will help to “ add to the beauty and will also help the forests of northern Minnesota”. Other activities included clearing the land of branches and brush. One of the site coordinators, Amanda Okech, will also be a director at the future center. The non-profit organization will serve about 200 persons recovering from mental and emotional challenges. With about 40 local volunteers, including members from the Greenway Hockey team, Okech was thrilled by the turnout of the event.
The Day of Action was a great success, it was wonderful to see the community come together over a worthy cause. Next year the same event will be held, and everyone is welcome. For more information about the United Way and the Day of Action check out their website, www.unitedwayof1000lakes.org