The United Way of West Ellis County held their second Annual “Day of Action” on June 17.
Day of Action is a United Way Worldwide movement and invitation for people and organizations around the world to come together and take action to address a variety of community challenges, according to a press release.
In Ellis County, this year’s regional focus was to show support and encourage local, home-bound senior citizens.
“Since March, local senior centers have taken steps to protect their members by closing during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kasey Cheshier, executive director at the United Way of West Ellis County. For many of these residents, the senior center is their regular support system & closest friends. In some cases, the lunches provided daily are also their one substantial meal. To help lessen the impact of social isolation and not being able to engage with their support communities, we wanted to do something special for these local residents.”
Staff and key volunteers distributed more than 400 food boxes, care kits to senior citizens and dispersed sanitizer gel to residents at the Midlothian Senior Center, Waxahachie Senior Activity Center Country Lane Senior Community.
Diary kits were also distributed at Manna House, Waxahachie Care and the Salvation Army in Waxahachie.
Due to safety concerns and community guidelines, volunteer mobilization for Day of Action was kept to a minimum to protect local senior residents. Only 39 individuals were involved to make the event a success and ensure safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jeanee Smiles, Waxahachie Senior Center director said, “It is amazing that we can help our seniors that have been homebound for two months,” she said, noting the senior center still has its doors closed as a result of the pandemic’s restrictions. “We miss seeing them and we are so happy to host this event. We would do this every day if it was necessary.”
Day of Action, and all year long, the United Way of West Ellis County is working to ensure that willing volunteers are able to get connected with the various service opportunities in the region.
“To our local seniors, you are not alone and we were thrilled to partner with these senior centers for our 2nd Day of Action. Stay safe & stay strong my friends. We’ll get through this together,” said Cheshier.
To learn more about local volunteer efforts in Ellis County, visit www.VolunteerEllisCounty.org.