Sarah Fearon of Canton is looking forward to working with the United Way of Greater Stark County's newest platform for volunteering, which puts volunteers and organizations together.
The portal assists those looking to volunteer and those looking for a volunteer.
"We have enjoyed our partnership with United Way and appreciate the tools and support they provide to help us serve the community," said Fearon, outreach director at Faith Family Church. "I am looking forward to using the new platform."
For the past two years, Fearon used the platform to help facilitate the church's ServeDay, a one-day community service event held in July.
"In 2017, we mobilized 750 church members to serve at 33 locations across three counties using the platform to help us organize project requests we received from local schools, organizations and nonprofits," she said.
The new Volunteer Resource Center platform, introduced about a month ago by the United Way of Greater Stark County, is easy to navigate, and connects individuals and families looking for volunteer opportunities, said Cynthia Vignos, vice president of marketing and strategic communication. "United Way of Greater Stark County promotes volunteerism not just within our own organization, but throughout the community. We recognize that meaningful community solutions require more than money, programs or policies, so we encourage people from all walks of life to roll up their sleeves and get involved. The spirit of collaboration makes an impact and brings lasting change, locally and globally."
According to Dan Jenkins, marketing and volunteer engagement coordinator for the United Way of Greater Stark County, the new platform by HandsOn Connect provides a more streamlined way for organizations posting volunteer opportunities, and for individuals seeking out volunteer positions.
"I'm extremely excited about the transition of our Volunteer Resource Center website," he said. "The new site prioritizes user experience, and above all else, I think Stark County volunteers will enjoy using it. It's a great asset that helps United Way of Greater Stark County collaborate with the public on bolstering our aims of ensuring health, education, and financial stability. It is available to every person in the community. The actions of one person alone can do so much, and I strongly encourage greater Stark County residents to explore the platform and find a way to get involved that speaks to their strengths and desires."
In addition to being able to connect volunteers with opportunities, Maria Heege, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Stark County, said now individuals can track their volunteer hours when required by organizations such as National Honor Society for high school students or court-ordered community service hours.
Reach Denise at 330-580-8321 or denise.sautters@cantonrep.com; On Twitter: dsauttersREP