Day of Caring is a community-wide volunteer event that takes place at various nonprofits and other locations throughout Berks County. It brings together large and small groups, along with individuals, to create lasting change in our community by helping others.
This year our volunteers helped in three ways; garden help at Dayspring Homes, building Survivor Kits at Safe Berks, and outside cleanup at the Reading Public Library.
Joy McFerren and Rick Sutton worked for Dayspring Homes at their Hazel Street location. Dayspring provides residential support for disabled adults. They toured their facility and met several of their residents and staff.
Their Hazel Street location needed some sprucing up so Joy and Rick power-washed their front walkway and weeded several flower and vegetable garden beds. Their Community Garden is well used and enjoyed by the residents so it was important to keep them fresh.
Jody Pillard volunteered at the Reading Public Library. They repainted the parking lot (lines, handicapped markings, bollards, entry gates, railings) and parts of the entrance, did a lot of trash cleanup (mostly cigarette butts 🤢), and weeded a small area with shrubs. Multiple library staff stopped out to express their appreciation for the group’s efforts, as did at least one citizen passing by.
Christine Gossman volunteered at Safe Berks and helped build Survivor Kits that included clothing, personal hygiene needs, and a few other essentials. Safe Berks is waiting for state funding so they are low on staff and don’t have enough people to do these types of needs. They were so appreciative.
