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Staff from Wyndham Vacation Ownership help Habitat for Humanity lay tile in a home under construction.SBJ photo by SYDNI MOORE
Staff from Wyndham Vacation Ownership help Habitat for Humanity lay tile in a home under construction.

SBJ photo by SYDNI MOORE

148 businesses participate in United Way Day of Caring

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More than 2,300 volunteers from 148 Springfield-area companies came out yesterday in support of United Way of the Ozarks’ 25th annual Day of Caring.

The day allows company colleagues to volunteer together at different agencies throughout the Ozarks that are seeking help.

Jill Finney, vice president of communication and volunteers at United Way, said this year’s Day of Caring saw added 300 more volunteers than last year. In all, 127 different agencies received help, including United Way itself, which now has a picnic table thanks to KOLR10 News, Finney said.

At the Discovery Center, staff from Greene County human resources office, FedEx Ground, Parkcrest Dental Group, BKD LLP and Olsson Associates Inc. collaborated to clean windows and beautify its landscaping. Littles from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks were taught the basics of fishing by Bass Pro Shops volunteers at the company’s headquarters. And a group from Wyndham Vacation Ownership helped Habitat for Humanity lay tile in a home under construction.

Wyndham Operations Manager Sharon Lawley, who also is in charge of the company’s community outreach program, said her volunteer group arrived at the construction site at 8:30 a.m.

The first Day of Caring took place in 1993 at Phelps Grove Park with a handful of volunteers, Finney said. The idea began with Roseann Bentley, who is known in Springfield for her public service as a past Greene County commissioner and Springfieldian of the Year.

“She’s a huge supporter of the community,” Finney said. “She’s been around for a long time on our board. She’s just always given back.”

Finney said United Way continually seeks companies to volunteer for the Day of Caring.

“I think everybody wins in this situation, and that’s what I would tell most businesses,” she said.

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