MLK holiday ‘a day on’ for Joliet
By Janet Lundquist jlundquist@stmedianetwork.com January 16, 2012 6:48PM
Joliet Junior College team leader Karla Boyd (left), Joliet resident Karena Burkett (center) and Franca Liburdi, of Aunt Martha’s Youth Services, clean Monday at the Catholic Charities Daybreak Center in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 18, 2012 8:09AM
JOLIET — Monday was not about a day off for one large group who gathered to ease the strain for local social service agencies.
They spent part of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday doing odd jobs — things like scrubbing kitchens, cleaning out basements and sorting toys for at a homeless shelter — all to honor the memory of the man who inspired the day of service.
Volunteers, adults and some children filled large, round tables set up in the gymnasium of Mount Zion Baptist church before 9 a.m. Monday, all waiting to participate in an annual community service project organized by the Community Services Council of Will County, Inc.
Michelle Schaumann brought her 6-year-old daughter, Makayla Robinson, out to help, and already was planning to do it again next year.
“I figured this is a great age to start getting her into volunteering,” said Schaumann, of Joliet. “I will come to this every year, to instill (the practice) in her. And for her to learn more about who Martin Luther King Jr. was.”
“I think this is a grand idea,” said Ron Johnson, of Joliet, who volunteered his time. “With the spirit of Dr. King, giving back to the community.”
Growing popularity
Several elected officials also came out to work, including Joliet Mayor Thomas Girrante, Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, Will County Executive Larry Walsh and state Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi.
J.D. Ross, president of the board of trustees for the University of St. Francis, told the group the reason for the event was reflected in King’s own words: “Life’s most urgent and persistent questions is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
With that inspiration, the volunteers headed out to 10 locations in the county to get to work. They met back at the church for lunch and to reflect on their experiences.
It is the fifth year for the community service event, which started as a small group working on projects in a local church, said R. Dale Evans, president of the Community Services Council of Will County Inc., and social services coordinator for the Housing Authority of Joliet.
As the event grew and more people became interested in volunteering, Evans began to work with the United Way of Will County and Joliet Township Clerk Beth Ann May to better coordinate volunteers with projects in the area.
Help comes for shelter
Social service agencies in the area that needed a hand contacted the group. Monday morning, volunteers were fanning out across the county to do those jobs.
Glasgow joined Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, Will County regional superintendent of schools, Joliet City Councilman Don Fisher and other volunteers in cleaning and organizing the shelter kitchen at Guardian Angel Home in Joliet.
A small staff and budget cuts leave little time or resources for regular cleanings in the frequently used kitchen, said Kay Cavallero, shelter coordinator.
“Many times, things just aren’t done,” she said, watching the volunteer crew work. “There just is not the time or the staff to do this kind of stuff. So it’s super that they do this.”
One crew cleaned the basement of the Trinity Services Family Counseling Center. Another sorted, cleaned and stocked donations at the MorningStar Mission thrift store. Others made crafts with seniors at the Housing Authority of Joliet.
Evans is hoping the work accomplished today will inspire the volunteers to continue to help others throughout the year.
“Carve out a day in your month, or four days in your year to volunteer and make a difference,” he said. “Because it’s in giving that we truly receive.”
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