Volunteers make it a Day of Action

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SIDNEY — For Sarah Barr, the United Way day of action has provided some welcome assistance.

Barr is the executive director of Raise the Roof for the Arts, which operates in the Historic Sidney Theatre and is one of this year’s beneficiaries of United Way Day.

The day of action is a celebrated annually worldwide by volunteers who help their communities, supported by companies in the area. This is the first year Shelby County United Way has aligned with the national initiative, with 16 local projects, including:

• Painting the Salvation Army kitchen, by POWER Women’s Initiative

• Pulling honeysuckle at Tawawa Park, by Choice One Engineering

• Building a play set for New Choices Inc., by Lochards Inc.

• Painting shelters and surrounding equipment at Roadside Park, by Wilson Health

• Painting shelter house and picnic table at Sherman Park, by U.S. Bank

• Painting shelters and surrounding equipment at Riverbend park, by Peerless Food Equipment.

Other participating companies were Emerson Climate Technologies, Honda, Cargill, Mutual Federal Savings Bank, Edgewell (formerly Energizer Playtex), City of Sidney and Shreves Construction.

“We are fortunate and blessed to have 14 companies interested in making an impact,” said Scott Barr, executive director of the Shelby County United Way. “The United Way board is thrilled with the inaugural day of action, and we look forward to the future.”

At the Historic Sidney Theatre, Emerson Climate Technologies employees with Westerheide Construction, worked on two large dressing rooms. The project included new drywall, painting the walls and resealing the floor, changing the section of the 100-year-old building dramatically from what Barr called “dungeon-like” into usable space.

“We can’t thank them enough,” she said. “Their support has been show-stopping — no pun intended — and they encompass everything we’re trying to be. They come in excited about the community, excited about the project and full speed ahead.”

A production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” is currently in rehearsal, and Barr is excited to see the children’s reactions to the new space.

“I’m sure that when those little kids get down there, and get to see their new area, their faces will light up,” she said.

Lochard Inc. volunteers, left to right, Rick Cordonnier, of Sidney, Keith Weidner, of Houston, and John Francis, of Sidney, put together kids playground equipment at New Choices, Wednesday, June 21. The men were taking part in the United Way’s Day of Action.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/06/web1_SDN062217DayAction2-1.jpgLochard Inc. volunteers, left to right, Rick Cordonnier, of Sidney, Keith Weidner, of Houston, and John Francis, of Sidney, put together kids playground equipment at New Choices, Wednesday, June 21. The men were taking part in the United Way’s Day of Action. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News

Working to put up drywall in the dressing room in the basement of the Historic Sidney Theatre are, left to right, Andrew Coffman, of Jackson Center, Colby Starliper and and Chuck Westerbeck, both of Sidney. Westerbeck and Coffman volunteered with Emerson while Starliper is with Westerheide Construction. The men were taking part in the United Way’s Day of Action.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/06/web1_SDN062217DayAction1-1.jpgWorking to put up drywall in the dressing room in the basement of the Historic Sidney Theatre are, left to right, Andrew Coffman, of Jackson Center, Colby Starliper and and Chuck Westerbeck, both of Sidney. Westerbeck and Coffman volunteered with Emerson while Starliper is with Westerheide Construction. The men were taking part in the United Way’s Day of Action. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News

Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst helps pull weeds at Clear Creek Farms Thursday morning as part of the Day of Action activities. Barhorst is the leader of the city workers who participated in the program.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/06/web1_IMG_6551.jpgSidney Mayor Mike Barhorst helps pull weeds at Clear Creek Farms Thursday morning as part of the Day of Action activities. Barhorst is the leader of the city workers who participated in the program. Amy Chupp | Sidney Daily News

City of Sidney employees pull weeds and mulch around the bushes at Clear Creek Farms Thursday morning.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/06/web1_IMG_6554.jpgCity of Sidney employees pull weeds and mulch around the bushes at Clear Creek Farms Thursday morning. Amy Chupp | Sidney Daily News

City of Sidney employee Vicki Allen mulches around a bush at Clear Creek Farms Thursday morning.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/06/web1_IMG_6550.jpgCity of Sidney employee Vicki Allen mulches around a bush at Clear Creek Farms Thursday morning. Amy Chupp | Sidney Daily News

Mutual Federal employees work on the entrance at Graceland Cemetery, Thursday morning, as part of the Day of Action program sponsored by the Shelby County United Way.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/06/web1_IMG_6542.jpgMutual Federal employees work on the entrance at Graceland Cemetery, Thursday morning, as part of the Day of Action program sponsored by the Shelby County United Way. Amy Chupp | Sidney Daily News

Eric Noble, left, and Tim Summers, Mutual Federal employees, volunteer at Graceland Cemetery Thursday morning as they help mulch and plant flowers. They are working at the southend entrance of the cemetery.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/06/web1_IMG_6540.jpgEric Noble, left, and Tim Summers, Mutual Federal employees, volunteer at Graceland Cemetery Thursday morning as they help mulch and plant flowers. They are working at the southend entrance of the cemetery. Amy Chupp | Sidney Daily News

By Heather Willard

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 937-538-4825.

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