Community Corner

Salvation Army Gets Boost From United Way Volunteers

More than 3,000 volunteers rolled up their sleeves around Nashua on Sept. 11.

A dozen volunteers took time away from their day jobs September 11 to participate in the United Way Day of Caring by sprucing up the Salvation Army building on Montgomery Avenue in Nashua.

Eric Strand, Jason Brodsky and Julio Gaitan, of BAE Systems, scrubbed the tile floors in the basement and added a coat of wax. Others painted the auxiliary "rec room" which is always in heavy use by the hundreds of kids who participate in summer and after-school programs at one of the city's most active social service outreaches.

"What color is this? I call it 'Happy'," said Jennifer Horn, Salvation Army's Director of Development and Community Affairs, describing not only the new color actually applied to the walls, but the residual effect on those inside the organization.

They understand such a paint job means so much more than just a paint job.

"We are a small local non-profit and we can't exist without community support. It's priceless for us to have these volunteers here doing work we otherwise would not have been able to get done," Horn said.

United Way of Greater Nashua Day of Caring takes place throughout the region every September, dispatching upwards of 3,000 volunteers recruited through local business partners, who roll up their sleeves for various non-profits in need, including the Salvation Army.

By 3 p.m. the painting was finished, and volunteers, including Dory Clarke, who works in the city's legal department, were peeling the blue painter's tape from along the edge of the ceiling.

Horn stood in the middle of the room, a noticeable glint of "Happy" reflecting in her eyes.

"You may not realize what an improvement this is, but for those of us who are here every day, trust me; it makes a world of difference," Horn said. "We are profoundly grateful."


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