Lyons: Be a difference-maker for a day

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Do you ever wish you had a chance to do some volunteer work but find yourself too busy?

I feel kind of stuck in that boat lately. It’s harder when you’ve got young kids. That’s when life volunteers you for changing diapers, constant errands, and a never-ending to-do list, barely leaving time to keep your house straightened up at least enough to keep ahead of local health inspectors.

There are so many volunteer needs in our communities. Rebecca Stiemke, director of United Way of McHenry County Volunteer Center, devotes column space in the Northwest Herald once a month to highlight some of the local opportunities.

Wouldn’t it be cool if someone set aside one day where you could make a difference, devoting a few hours to volunteer work? There is a day like that – Make a Difference Day. OK, not original, but I didn’t come up with the name. I’d call it Get off Your Tookus Day.

So, there’s an event in McHenry County that’s related to Make a Difference Day (or Get off Your Tookus Day, whichever you prefer) on Oct. 24 called Lend a Hand McHenry County. It involves dozens of private companies and organizations. It’s one day that you can volunteer and help agencies that help others each day.

The event is led by alumni of the Leadership Greater McHenry County, and help is needed at locations all over the county, including Union, Cary, Woodstock and Crystal Lake, to name a few.

These agencies are just like your house, where the primary responsibility is taking care of people, leaving little time to fix the broken towel bar or straighten out the garage so you can get two cars in there again. (Sorry, honey.)

Help is needed with large and small projects, such as painting at the Youth Service Bureau, staining at Pioneer Center, and laying carpet tile at Options and Advocacy. There are many others.

In addition to willing day laborers, there are some materials that organizers are hoping someone is willing to donate: a bathroom vanity (30.5 inches high by 30 inches wide by 21 inches deep), a vanity countertop (31 inches wide by 22 inches deep, drain center is 14.5 inches from right edge and 13 inches from front edge), a faucet (two handles, three holes); a double storm door (35.5 inches by 79.5 inches and 36 inches by 79.5 inches), interior paint, interior primer, deck stain, paint brushes, rollers and roller covers, dropcloths, and paint rags.

For detailed information about the event, check out www.leadershipgmc.org, click the LAHD link, and fill out a volunteer form, or call the LGMC office at 815-337-8750.

For questions, contact Joe Cox, LGMC Lend A Hand Day chairman, via e-mail at joseph.d.cox@jpmchase.com.

• Kevin Lyons is news editor of the Northwest Herald. Reach him at 815-526-4505 or e-mail him at kelyons@nwherald.com.