REM West Virginia Gives Back as Part of Annual Volunteer Day
28 May 2015
Employees, family members, and individuals served by REM West Virginia came together on Saturday, April 25, as part of The MENTOR Network’s Third Annual National Volunteer Day.
In Wheeling, volunteers partnered with the Miracle League of the Ohio Valley and spent the morning cleaning the ballpark and getting it ready for the season. REM West Virginia sought a volunteer project that would benefit individuals similar to the populations they serve as an organization or mirror their mission of helping people thrive in the communities they call home. Partnering with the Miracle League gave volunteers the opportunity to do both. The Miracle League provides children and adults with special needs the opportunity to play organized baseball on a team.
“We were thrilled to partner with them,” said Jane Ketcham, Sr., Executive Director of REM West Virginia. “Not only do we serve individuals with similar needs, we also share the belief that people of all ages and abilities can thrive in the communities they call home and deserve opportunities to participate in community life.”
In the Charleston area, volunteers participated in service projects at organizations including the Humane Society, Hospice Care of Charleston, Dunbar Beautification League and Goodwill Resale Store. Volunteers spent the morning landscaping, cleaning and organizing. These agencies rely on support from volunteers to help keep their spaces well-maintained and engaging for the populations they serve.
“The agencies our team volunteered with provide services that either enhance community life or support a vulnerable population,” said Ms. Ketcham. “We were excited to not only lend a helping hand to their efforts but to also do so with our family, friends and the individuals we serve.”
REM West Virginia provides home- and community-based services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the state. A part of The MENTOR Network, a national network of local health and human services providers, REM West Virginia joined nearly 2,500 Network volunteers in 50 service projects in 17 states.
“The services we provide to people with special needs are fully integrated in the communities we serve,” said Ms. Ketcham.“ This event gives our employees, their families, and the people we serve a great opportunity to give back to the communities in which they live through volunteerism.”