Lincoln Learning employees recently joined forces with 11 other local organizations to give back to the community through the United Way of Beaver County’s annual Day of Caring.
Lincoln Learning employees recently joined forces with 11 other local organizations to give back to the community through the United Way of Beaver County’s annual Day of Caring.
Executive director for the Beaver County United Way Mary Lou Harju said the event pairs volunteers with partner agencies to complete impactful service projects.
“The Day of Caring brings our community together. It’s people helping people,” Harju said. “A total of 13 different important projects were completed at the nonprofit agencies — projects that the hardworking staff of those agencies usually cannot get to.”
As an educational nonprofit, Lincoln Learning puts stock in helping its neighbors and community engagement.
“We place high value in community engagement. That’s why we give all our employees one day each fiscal year to volunteer at any organization they choose,” president and CEO Bob Clements said.
This year 23 employees devoted their day to supporting the United Way.
Lincoln’s director of instructional services Janeen Petrisko was among them.
“Finding time to give back to our communities can be challenging,” Petrisko said. “Participating in the Day of Caring gave us a chance to make a meaningful impact and connect with others in ways we often miss during our busy workdays. I came home afterward and said, ‘Today was a good day!’”
About half of the Lincoln Learning team spent their day at The Center, a Midland nonprofit providing support services for adults, children, families, and the community, where there was no shortage of projects.
They sorted donated clothing; assembled gifts to be presented at an upcoming dinner; prepared crafts for children’s projects, and cooked a chili and cornbread dinner topped off with chocolate chip cookies for the after-school program.
Neighborhood North Museum of Play served as the site for Lincoln’s remaining volunteers. A unique children’s space in Beaver Falls, it is designed to foster a love of learning, sense of curiosity, belonging, and confidence. Volunteers created a welcoming, safe space by cleaning and sanitizing the entire facility, in addition to painting walls and ceilings.
Sheena Donnovan, a training specialist on the Lincoln staff, found satisfaction in rolling up her sleeves for the museum.
"It’s rewarding to do something that improves the quality of life for the residents of my community. Neighborhood North gives kiddos a safe space to play and create, and having the opportunity to assist in their development is fulfilling."
Not only does The United Way Day of Caring help these agencies complete ongoing projects to make a meaningful community impact, but it also helps to raise awareness about resources available in Beaver County.
“We constantly hear how the Day of Caring volunteers learn so much about the services of the organizations at which they volunteered — therefore, awareness of our community's resources is enhanced,” Harju said. “The Day of Caring event often results in long-term relationships being formed between a company and a nonprofit organization.
Harju added that volunteerism is what drives the work of the United Way of Beaver County.
“The work of volunteers enables many programs and organizations to exist, serving the needs of many of our community's most vulnerable residents. The word ‘united’ is an important one. Without us working united, our community will not thrive.”
“The Day of Caring is about more than just volunteering — it’s about connection, teamwork, and making a difference in the lives of our neighbors,” Clements said. “We are so thankful to all our employees for taking part in this worthwhile endeavor.”