Local organizations, residents involved in Week of Caring

Correction: The Monroe County Bank was misidentified in this story. The IDS regrets the error.\nFace lifts for some of Bloomington's public facilities are not the tasks of construction crews, but the hard work of hundreds of volunteers. Bloomington Volunteer Network pulled together human resources for a week of local fall clean up this week referred to as Week of Caring.\nIn 1996, the Bloomington Volunteer Network and the United Way joined forces for a day of fall clean up. Bet Savich says that one day was not enough to complete all of the tasks that Bloomington Volunteer Network would have liked to accomplish. So Day of Caring evolved into Week of Caring the following year. \nRaise the Roof is one segment of Week of Caring dedicated to home improvements. Doris Sims, director of housing and Neighborhood Development said volunteers of an IU Community Outreach and Partnerships in Service Learning will weatherize homes, secure air conditioners, seal windows and clean out gutters of four low-income homes in Monroe County. Sims said she thinks that people are becoming more aware of volunteering because of the terrorism attacks of Sept. 11. \nSavich, director of Bloomington Volunteer Network, said people are more eager to volunteer their time. \n"Because of our empathy for those affected directly by the terrorist attacks, and everything we've all been through this last month, many people are feeling an overwhelming desire to act," Savich said. "Becoming more involved can help restore a sense of hope in our hearts, homes, and ultimately our nation." \nLocal organizations and University organizations recruited more than 500 volunteers in the Monroe County area to participate in charity events for Week of Caring. Beyond the volunteer organizations pitching in their efforts, several other businesses or clubs formed volunteer teams. Monroe Bank, for example, has teams cleaning gutters, painting offices, reading to children and doing various other projects around Monroe County. \nToday, Monroe Bank will close at noon so about 150 employees can participate in those Week of Caring events. Volunteers will work at Hannah House Maternity home, Harmony School, Middle Way House, Monroe County Public Library, Area 10 Agency on Aging and various other facilities in the area. \n"Our goal is to demonstrate volunteer work and give back to the community," Carmen Odle, group leader for the volunteers, said. "We want to set an example for other businesses," she added.\n"I want to encourage people to volunteer," Savich said. \nAside from the physical aspects of Week of Caring, there are other events for elderly folks and children to participate in. Monday night senior citizens had the opportunity to interact with children. \n"Rocking babies was really fun," Georgia Schaich, director of retired Senior Volunteer Program, said. "Many seniors can't be with their own grandchildren, so they enjoyed spending time with babies," she said. \nA new feature of Week of Caring is Senior Day of Caring on Friday. Volunteer senior citizens will collaborate to sew baby blankets for needy babies around the world. \nVisit www.idsnews.com for links containing more information about Bloomington Volunteer Network.