BY B.G. GREGG
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati's United Way & Community Chest, every September and with much celebration, asks employees at local businesses to give money to help achieve a multimillion-dollar goal.
In a much more quiet manner, the United Way asks those same employees every September to give a little something else: themselves.
In both instances, workers have consistently risen to the challenge. In the midst of a campaign for a record $53 million in donations, the United Way is quietly holding Community Care Week. It's an annual event that pairs local businesses with United Way agencies, asking employees of the businesses to volunteer with the agencies.
This year, 67 businesses will help 54 agencies with painting, cleaning, repairing, collecting donations and other activities. Owners of the businesses encourage their employees to volunteer, sometimes providing time off work or paying for the activities. For example, Hollaender Manufacturing Co, a Woodlawn business that makes aluminum pipe fittings, spent about $700 Wednesday taking 22 senior citizens to the Miami Valley Dinner Theater in Springboro.
"We've volunteered in the community before, but this is our first time being involved in Community Care Week," said Kelly Swartz, a customer service associate. "Some of them are in wheelchairs and a couple have walkers, so we wanted to do something where they'd be comfortable."
The senior citizens were clients of Franciscan at St. John, an Over-the-Rhine social service agency. They watched West Side Story.
"Everywhere we go, I enjoy it," said Kathleen Strickey, 82. "This is the only enjoyment I get unless my family takes me somewhere." Mrs. Strickey said she was grateful to Hollaender, because the outings with the other St. John clients are like going out with a second family.
"We always have a lot of fun no matter where we go," she said. Ms. Swartz said the company will participate in Community Care Week next year, too, and may do more volunteer opportunities at other times of the year.
Community Care Week continues through Saturday, with the bulk of events planned that week.
