United Way of Lee County 2nd Annual Day of Caring by Cheri Kemp & Steve Starke June 25th happened to be a very hot day and the early morning hours were no exception. Early on that Sat- urday, a group of 8 Crest Foods employees, including Kristy & Steve Starke (Ingredient Division Technical Ser- vice) from Kentucky, volunteered their time for the One Day of Caring for Lee County. This group, as well as other local groups, was assigned to Teen Turf in Amboy, IL. Our work was cut out for us there. Literally, in one case! When we arrived at Teen Turf on the edge of
June Danekas, Erika Meiners, Sonny Baratta, Kristy & Steve Starke, Tyler Halfacre, Dean Rhodes, Cheri Kemp
Amboy, we were greeted by all the volunteers who man this wonderful place for teens to gather. Just a few days prior to our work day, a very strong storm moved through the area and the trees at the back of the grounds where Teen Turf was located, had taken quite a beating. Chain saws, rakes and other equipment were provided and part of our group went to work with other volunteers and the Teen Turf staff helping direct our efforts. The sound of chain saws buzzed all morning long despite the heat and humidity. By the time this group was done, the pile of logs, limbs and brush was pretty impressive! Other volunteers were divided up to accomplish other tasks like painting several picnic tables; stenciling the Teen Turf logo on many chairs and tables; organizing and cleaning inside the building; working on city landscaping in and around Amboy; and in general lending a hand in many small ways. By noon everyone was hot, thirsty and tired. We were treated to a lunch by the Teen Turf staff along with their many thanks for all that was accomplished. In all, 220 people representing 16 employers, from all over Lee County volunteered for this day and were sent to 15 different locations or agencies to work including landscaping for elderly in Dixon, Amboy & Sublette and installa- tion of smoke detectors in homes in Ashton and Franklin Grove. It was a gratifying feeling to see what many hands could do in a few short hours at just our Teen Turf location. Thanks to the many volunteers, donations of money and goods from local businesses and great planning for this day by the United Way committee, much was accomplished in Lee County. - Cheri Kemp On a sunny Saturday in June, my wife, Kristy and I traveled 400 miles from Walton, KY to Ashton, IL to spend some quality time volunteering for Crest Foods. We had the pleasure of working withTeen Turf, a group who of- fers a safe and wholesome environment for Amboy youth, providing mentoring, role models, and after-school tutor- ing. Focusing on positive values, Teen Turf teaches youth to be community volunteers and responsible citizens. We enjoyed spending the day with several other Crest employees painting and stenciling chairs, stenciling trash cans and painting picnic tables. We trimmed weeds, cut down trees, picked up and disposed of lots of debris, and were able to provide a fresh, clean, fun look to their facility. The Teen Turf volunteers were very pleased and appreciative of our work and they rewarded us with a wonderful lunch that they prepared themselves. If you want to feel a nice sense of satisfaction and accomplishment for something you have done, take some time out of your busy life to volunteer and assist others. Hook up with a youth group, or another group of your choice who provides assistance to those who are less fortunate than we are. You will truly count your blessings a little more often. - Steve Starke
October, November & December 2016 Crest Ink 15
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