Thank you to our 2011 sponsors!
For videos of United in Action volunteers at work, click here for our YouTube channel!
Check out our Facebook Album to see pictures of United in Action volunteers in Albany's Arbor Hill neighborhood cleaning up the North Swan Street Park on September 30.
View our Facebook photo album to see images from all 2011 United in Action projects. (please note: you do not need a Facebook account to view photos).
Together, united, we can accomplish more than we could alone. United in Action is one way we can LIVE UNITED and improve our community. United in Action is a year-round effort that brings volunteers and partners together to create positive, sustainable change through local hands-on projects.
We kicked off United in Action's 2011 season with two great baseball field clean-up projects (in conjunction with the Tri-City ValleyCats' "4 in 24" project). View more pictures of volunteers from the College of St. Rose and the SUNY Research Foundation hard at work! (note: you do not need a Facebook account to view photos.)
On May 20, United in Action volunteers from KPMG, Schenectady ARC and Blue Slate Solutions helped put up a hoop house and performed landscaping and clean-up at the Bella Greenhouse at Parsons Child and Family Center in Albany. Bella Greenhouse is part of a prevocational program at Parsons. In addition to helping young people develop gardening and business skills, the greenhouse has become a favorite destination for members of the community. Watch volunteers build raised bed gardens and assemble a hoop greenhouse.
United in Action 2011 Projects
Farano Center Self-Esteem Building Project | North Main Avenue, Albany
The Farano Center is a home for children with mental health issues due to child abuse, maltreatment or neglect. A United In Action team made the physical environment bright, engaging and restorative for the children living there as they wait for a foster care family. United Way volunteers took part in transforming several rooms into places where the children can explore the realities of their imaginations. The renovation process included painting, restoration of existing furniture and the transformation of all indoor living space so the Center would feel like a welcoming home. View more United in Action photos in our Facebook album.
Schoharie Community Garden Project | Schoharie County Annex, Schoharie
The initial plan was to provide an area near the county office complex that serves as a "town hall" style area for residents to gather, plant fruit and vegetables to stock the local food pantries and to enjoy a recreational area. Most of that was accomplished last year and was continued in 2011. Volunteers cleaned up the community garden, hung signs and expanded the playground area. Activities included mulching, laying timbers, and assembling and installing playground equipment. View more United in Action photos in our Facebook album.
Steinmetz Children's Garden Project | Lenox Road, Schenectady
As Yates Magnet School near Steinmetz Park changes to a neighborhood school, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the community wanted to create a children’s garden that will be sustained by the neighborhood. This was a joint project with Cornell Cooperative Extension, the city of Schenectady and the community. Before this project, the nearest children’s garden was not within walking distance from the school. So this garden was a much needed addition. The project entailed building 10 raised beds, filling them with compost and preparing the area for planting. View more United in Action photos in our Facebook album.
Parsons Child and Family Center hosted a second United in Action crew on June 15th. Over 50 IBM volunteers moved mulch, planted and did a whole lot of weedwacking to give the Parsons’ grounds a makeover. This United in Action held special significance for participants as IBMers volunteered in honor of the company’s 100th birthday.
To get a volunteer interest form or for more information about United in Action, call or e-mail Mary Rozak at 518.456.2200 or mrozak@unitedwaygcr.org.