REM Wisconsin Participates in The MENTOR Network’s Third Annual National Volunteer Day
28 May 2015
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Employees, individuals served, family members, and friends of REM Wisconsin came together on Saturday, April 25 to participate in The Network’s third annual National Volunteer Day. One hundred and twenty individuals volunteered their time to make a difference in communities across the state.
In La Crosse, volunteers assisted in cleaning and organizing the Salvation Army thrift store and shelter. In addition, they weeded and planted at the hunger task force community garden.
Portage volunteers painted 20 picnic tables and also cleaned and greened the Columbia County Fair Grounds.
The volunteers from the Eau Claire office assisted at a pancake breakfast and festival to raise funds for the non-profit, Crowning Achievements. About $1900 was raised total for the whole event. This money will allow for continued activities throughout the year for the 50 individuals that attend the program.
“Our employees work hard every day making a difference in the lives of the individuals we serve and I’m thrilled that they brought their families and friends together to make each volunteer project a success,” said Shelley Hansen-Blake, Executive Director of REM Wisconsin. “I am incredibly proud to be a part of this team who not only give of themselves every day, but want to ensure that REM Wisconsin is an organization that is part of the local community.”
As activities were going on in Wisconsin, there were also over 2,000 others from across The MENTOR Network simultaneously completing 50 service projects in 16 other states. All four operating groups of The MENTOR Network were represented: Redwood, Hastings, CareMeridian and NeuroRestorative. Employees from the corporate headquarters and Shared Service Center in North Andover also participated.
Some projects included painting and gardening projects, sorting food donations at food banks and Goodwill stores, helping at charitable fundraisers and thrift stores, serving meals at soup kitchens, participating in food drives, and cleaning up at various Boys & Girls Clubs.
“I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to the great success of The Network’s third annual National Volunteer Day,” said Bruce Nardella, President and CEO of The MENTOR Network. “It’s inspiring to see so many of our employees excited about giving back to the communities in which we live and work, extending our mission of service to the community at-large by taking time to volunteer along with family members, friends, and consumers we serve. I’m proud to work alongside such dedicated individuals, and look forward to seeing how far this event will grow in the future!”