|
United
Way volunteers to help park cars, direct traffic at 14 August 2008 |
|
|
| While festival goers have their eyes to the skies watching a symphony of colors floating overhead
at the All-Ohio Balloon Festival in Marysville this weekend, choreography of a different sort takes place on the
ground below. Volunteers from the United Way of Union County are working in unison directing traffic, making sure that hundreds of drivers find a place to park their cars. There are plenty of parking places, but few designated parking spaces near the Union County Airport. Most attendees will have to park in unmarked lots or grass fields. Most are unfamiliar with the Clymer Road area when they arrive. Thus, the need for someone to clarify where and how to park. “It would be very chaotic without someone pointing the way,” said United Way volunteer Betty Hoile, who will help lead a crew of 10-12 volunteers each night of the festival. “You have a lot of traffic pouring into the area and without the volunteers, you’d have gridlock.” In addition to directing traffic on the two-lane road into the parking areas, United Way volunteers protect those walking to and from their cars. “Once it gets dark, our job becomes that much more important,” Hoile said. “There’s not a lot of light in the area. No sidewalks. No stop signs coming out of the parking areas. It’s our job to keep everybody safe.” The Union County Sheriff’s Office has allowed the volunteers to use its reflective vests and flashlights, and provides support from on-duty officers at the intersection of Clymer Road and Industrial Parkway. In exchange for their efforts, festival organizers plan to donate the proceeds of the event to United Way for the third consecutive year. Donations for the first two years of the partnership totaled $3,680. “We’re honored that the All-Ohio Balloon Festival invited us to be a part of their event,” said Dave Bezusko, United Way’s Campaign & PR Director. “The Festival occurs as we’re kicking off our campaign season, so it’s visibility for our organization and a nice way to raise some extra money for our programs and services.” In addition to the monetary donation, United Way received an unexpected benefit from participating in the event. “It’s a fun, team-building activity,” Hoile said. “All of the volunteers have to be on the same page, working together to make it happen. We have to move and communicate quickly. It’s exhausting and you’re tired at the end of your five-hour shift. But we feel like we accomplished something as a team. And that carries over to other programs and activities we work on throughout the year.” In 2008, the local United Way is celebrating it’s 50-year Anniversary of bringing neighbors and resources together to improve lives in Union County. Together with its Member Agencies and community partners, United Way works to meet the basic needs of its neighbors and to enhance the quality of life for all in Union County. The organization is working to raise $840,000 this fall. For more information, please visit www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org. |