Families participate in a “Family Volunteer Day” project in Owego. (Provided)
Area families turned out for the annual Family Volunteer Day project on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Hiawatha-LaMonte cemetery on Route 17C, east of the Village of Owego. Family members of all ages joined in the beautification and restoration of this abandoned cemetery in the Town of Owego.
Volunteers removed the old fencing, replaced it with new fencing, raked and removed over 75 bags of leaves, painted the historic gate and generally improved the cemetery grounds. Owego elementary, middle and high school students with their parents and other adults contributed approximately 75 hours of service valued at more than $ 1,000.
In addition, a Betty Ann Bassett Beautification Grant from the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation, Inc. provided $500 for fencing materials and supplies. Lowe’s store supported this year’s Family Volunteer Day project with close to $300 in project materials.
Project supporters included the Tioga County Boys & Girls Club, Tioga Hawks Youth Lacrosse Program, Town of Owego, Lowe’s Stores, and the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation.
Family Volunteer Day is strategically held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving to “kick-off” the holiday season with giving and service. It also signals the start of National Family Week, sponsored by the Alliance for Children and Families and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Families that volunteer together not only address community social problems, but also strengthen themselves. Volunteering together as a family provides quality time, strengthens family communication, and provides opportunities for family members to be role models. For more information on the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation, visit Friends of CHB Youth Foundation on Facebook or email to chbyouthfoundation37@gmail.com.
