Nonprofits benefit from 3rd annual Lend a Hand McHenry County day

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Steve Plontke of Crystal Lake attaches address numbers to a mailbox post as Mackenzie Allen (left) rakes leaves outside of the Children's Center For Autism in Cary as other volunteers do house repairs. (Nick Dentamaro - ndentamaro@nwherald.com)

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CARY – Armed with toolboxes, ladders, paintbrushes and a desire to help, volunteers on Saturday filled the Children’s Center for Autism.

Joe Cox smiled as he walked through the house where men, women and children worked inside and out installing tile, refinishing a table, cleaning gutters and painting. Ceiling fans were dusted, a patio door was fixed, and a refrigerator was installed.

The Cary home was one of nine sites that Cox planned to visit as part of the third annual Lend A Hand McHenry County. Cox, a member of Leadership Greater McHenry County, created Lend A Hand event where alumni leaders and other volunteers give their time and donate materials to help nonprofit organizations. More than 100 volunteers across Cary, Union, Crystal Lake, and Woodstock help make a difference in these communities.

“It’s very rewarding to see all the helping hands,” Cox said as he planned to visit each site. “It’s such a great program.”

Shawna Egan, who opened the Cary home in 2003 for children with severe autism and a member of LGMC, said receiving help not only allowed her to use their funds to support the children instead of maintain the house, but also showed the community what they did.

“It gives the community an opportunity to see and understand who we are and what we do. You get a feel and realize it’s a supportive 24-hour home,” she said.

The Allen family came from Crystal Lake to work at the house.

Jen Allen, an employee at Sage Products painted with her husband, Tom, while their 12-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, raked leaves.

“If you look at how our country was started on volunteerism whether it be firehouses or barn raisings, that trend still continues today. This is a way to continue that,” Tom Allen said. “We get to help the less fortunate people and make a big difference hopefully in their lives.”

Seeing how donating a few hours can benefit McHenry County, Cox said his goal was to present the Lend A Hand concept before 300 community leadership associations at an upcoming national conference and see them adopt the idea.

“We hope this keeps going not only in this community but in communities across this country,” Cox said.

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