Volunteers are the heart of our work, and our Day of Action is a shining example of what happens when people come together to strengthen our community. We're proud to feature Jenni Snow, whose passion for giving back has made a lasting impact through Day of Action and beyond.
Why Jenni Volunteers with Day of Action
For Jenni, Day of Action is a meaningful way to contribute to the community while seeing the impact firsthand.
"I volunteer with Day of Action because it's another way I can give back to my community. It's a rewarding feeling seeing how appreciative organizations are after we complete a project for them. For example, I've been a part of landscaping projects for organizations across Springfield. When their employees and customers see the end result, it brightens their day."
She adds that stepping away from work for just a few hours to lend a hand not only supports organizations that may not have the time for certain projects but also helps them save valuable resources.
Jenni's United Way Involvement Beyond Day of Action
Jenni's dedication to United Way extends far past a single day of volunteering. She has helped create monster bookmarks for Springfield Elementary Schools, participated in the Run United 5K for several years, and even helped coordinate the 5K during her time at INB. In addition, she plays a key role in coordinating INB's annual United Way Campaign, helping engage her coworkers in giving back.
A Favorite Day of Action Memory
Out of all of her experiences, one project stands out most: preparing the local camp for summer campers.
"There were several projects our group tackled that day. I helped paint picnic tables, put mulch down for a few of their walking paths, and clean inside the lodge where they eat and play indoor games. It was a very rewarding feeling knowing that these kids would have a freshly clean space to gather and enjoy time together. It also helped the camp counselors and staff not have to worry about hours it would take prepping this space and allowed them to focus on other tasks."
Jenni's Thoughts for New Volunteers
For anyone curious about getting involved, Jenni encourages people to take the first step.
"Don't be afraid to start the conversation."
Jenni says that United Way's website can provide many volunteer opportunities for individuals to start small. Check out the United Way GetConnected volunteer portal to find something that fits your interests and strengths. Start conversations with others to join you and make it more impactful and fun. Find what you are passionate about and link that to your volunteer opportunity.
Thank you!
We're grateful to Jenni for her leadership, passion, and dedication to building a stronger community. Volunteers like her remind us that small actions like painting picnic tables, planting flowers, and creating bookmarks add up to big change for individuals and families in our community.
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