News: HOG Day 2011

HOG Day unites record number for volunteer service

 
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A record number of teams and volunteers united Saturday to complete 278 community service projects across Greenville County as part of the 17th annual United Way Hands On Greenville (HOG) Day.

Each year, United Way Hands On Greenville brings thousands of volunteers together in service, creating a sense of community spirit, goodwill and satisfaction to enhance and improve Greenville County’s overall quality of life.

On Saturday, 6,817 volunteers on 135 teams comprised of representatives from area companies, organizations and church groups, as well as individuals and families, donated their time and talents to work on a record number of service projects benefitting area nonprofits, schools, parks and other community organizations. The wide range of projects included everything from repairs to campground cabins and painting playground equipment and school murals, to landscaping for local shelters and neighborhood clean-up efforts.

“What a wonderful testament to the power of volunteerism and the volunteer spirit that is so strong here in our community, said Roberta Etzkorn of O’Neal Inc. and chair of the United Way Hands On Greenville Advisory Board. “The outpouring of community support this year has been absolutely amazing.”

Volunteers ended their day at a special “thank you” after party at Fluor Field Saturday afternoon. United Way of Greenville County President Ted Hendry said the party was just part of the reward participants will receive for contributing their time and effort.

“Not only does Greenville County benefit from the hard work of our volunteers, but HOG Day participants are rewarded as well by experiencing the sense of teamwork, camaraderie and the overall feeling of making a difference in their community,” said Hendry.

While HOG Day is the Upstate’s largest one-day volunteer effort, United Way Hands On Greenville works year-round to offer volunteer service opportunities via its online project calendar. The organization partners with more than 300 nonprofit agencies and lists approximately 350 volunteer opportunities each month on its Web site, www.handsongreenville.org. The ever-changing list offers a wealth of projects for all ages and interests, including mentoring opportunities with local youth, pet therapy visits to senior living communities and food rescue runs for area food banks, to name a few.

“HOG Day is meant to showcase the collective power that we can have on our community through volunteerism,” said Etzkorn, “but it’s also as a visual reminder that there are volunteer needs right here in our community every day of the year. Through HOG Day, we hope to encourage our community to continue their volunteerism year-round.”

For more information about United Way Hands On Greenville and to sign up for future volunteer opportunities, visit www.handsongreenville.org.