Week of Caring begins October 15

Week of Caring has been making a difference for people and organizations in Rutherford County for 15 years.

This year the annual volunteer event will be held Oct. 15-22, and 500 volunteers are again expected to complete projects that include cleaning flower beds, painting and washing windows.

"We really try to find easy, one day projects for volunteers and volunteer groups that will help in the community," said Nell Bovender, executive director of Rutherford Housing Partnership and coordinator for Week of Caring.

Projects can be completed at any time during the week - or beyond if scheduling doesn't work out, Bovender explained.

"Once someone adopts a project, they then get in touch with the organization or homeowner to arrange a time for the work to be completed."

Week of Caring began at first as a way to provide much needed help for agencies in Rutherford County, Bovender said. Over the years it has also encompassed the community.

Some, like Jeanne Bass, have been helped in the past by Week of Caring.

"They painted and washed my windows for me," Bass said. "It's been a big help to many people - God bless them all."

Volunteer groups tend to come back year after year as well. Students from Rutherford Early College High School (REaCH) annually take part.

"Students at REaCH love to participate in Week of Caring," said Lori Lambert, a teacher who helps to organize the group. "We will be working at Hospice, South Mountain Christian Camp, Oakland Living Center and Brookdale."

Giving back to the community is one of the school's tenets, Lambert said, and the projects involve the entire student body.

"Some students continue to work at the locations we visit even after the organized day," she said. "Many students realize how they can make a positive difference, perhaps for the first time, in the lives of others."

Week of Caring in Rutherford County leads up to the national Make a Difference Day, which is Saturday, Oct. 22. Make a Difference Day is one of the largest annual single days of volunteer service nationwide, and began in 1992. For more information on it, visit makeadifferenceday.com.

If you would like to volunteer for a project, contact Rutherford Housing Partnership at 828-248-3431.