Creeaakkk. The sound of a backhoe pulling out shrubs.
Plod. The dropping of sod.
Squeak, squeak, splosh. The irrigation turns on.
Sounds of landscaping and construction filled Horry County non-profits on Oct. 13 for the 23 rd annual United Way of Horry County Day of Caring.
Santee Cooper traditionally provides the largest number of volunteers for the event and this year was no different. Eighty-five of the 240 volunteers were from the Santee Cooper team. Line crews started early in the week, pulling out overgrown shrubs around the United Way building that have become safety hazards. They were difficult to see around and had been known to house snakes.
Friday, the rest of our team of volunteers joined them to plant new flowers, lay sod in bare plots and add irrigation. Others worked inside, adding a fresh coat of paint to all the common areas of the United Way offices. A third group worked with the New Directions homeless shelters, pressure washing and providing landscaping.
The United Way of Horry County Day of Caring is an event we look forward to every year. We enjoy spending the day at non-profits, helping in so many ways. We take on projects the organizations can’t necessarily take on themselves, whether that be because of time constraints, finances or special expertise. In helping during the Day of Caring, we get to see what these nonprofits have to work with and the amazing work they do for others. And for at least that one day each year, we get to be a part of it.
Other teams will participate in Days of Caring with United Way’s across the state, including another big presence with Trident United Way in the Charleston area coming up in November.