AmeriCorps*VISTAs: Partnering to Paint A Brighter Future

Mobilizing a diverse group of volunteers and resources was the challenge this year for United Way of the Central Savannah River Area’s (UWCSRA) AmeriCorps*VISTA team in order for them to make a significant impact during their 2012 MLK Day of Service Project, which turned into a week- long series of events. Dorothy Gibson, VISTA Leader, along with 20 VISTA Members, 2 VISTA Veteran Members, and 5 Senior Corps Members recruited and served hand in hand with 3,200 community volunteers, to include 1,000 youth. Together they collected personal hygiene product donations and created 1,971 emergency hygiene kits, putting in over 25,600 volunteer hours. The hygiene kits were distributed throughout the CSRA to benefit 606 homeless individuals and families and 550 persons at-risk of homelessness, 625 seniors in the Senior Food Box Program, and 190 Veterans and military families suffering from lack of income, unemployment, and other effects of poverty. The abundance of hygiene products received also allowed the group to donate 12,000 lbs of hygiene items, such as hand sanitizer, to the Richmond County School System that will benefit an estimated 6,000 children in need.

As part of the week’s activities, VISTA Members participated in The Augusta Branch NAACP Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade, creating a float and distributing over 4,000 MLK educational materials that included posters, bookmarks, and stickers to attendees.

A total of 94 CSRA community partnerships were developed to support the service project that included 42 elementary, middle and high schools, 3 colleges, 20 community organizations, 18 churches, 7 hotels, and 4 corporations. UWCSRA recognized the top 10 schools with the most volunteer participation in the service project at the Richmond County Board of Education board meeting. Donations kept coming in long after the event, with some community partners and volunteers choosing to continue collections throughout the year. The vast array of volunteers and resources developed will support project sustainability efforts and allow the VISTA team to restock and distribute hygiene products throughout the year to persons and families in need.

During the week’s activities, UWCSRA was pleased to learn the organization was chosen to receive the 15th Annual Dr. M.L. King, Jr. Unity Award for efforts made in improving race relations in the CSRA. The award was presented to UWCSRA President/CEO, La Verne H. Gold. Through special initiatives, such as AmeriCorps*VISTA, UWCSRA is able to reach out more in the CSRA and bring a diverse group of volunteers and resources together in support of building our communities capacity to provide programs and services that help individuals and families experiencing poverty.

Many times individuals and families go without the basic necessities most of us take for granted. Through this MLK service project, a host of volunteers recruited and resources obtained by the VISTA team were able to come together and give those in need a greater sense of self and a brighter outlook on life. Perhaps even more importantly, together they were able to play a small role in helping individuals and families retain their dignity during trying times in their lives, thus moving us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community where all people come together, stand hand in hand, and help their fellow man.

UWCSRAs Community Building Coordinator, Joan Stoddard, serves as VISTA Project Supervisor. Funding sponsors for this service project included: United Way of the CSRA; The Corporation for National & Community Service, Georgia State Office; and Youth Service America (YSA).