Many businesses participated in Schuylkill United Way’s Day of Caring on May 9.

The day was created to match volunteers to service projects at partner agencies who facilitate health and human services for free or little cost to the residents of Schuylkill County.

Schuylkill’s Day of Caring was renamed in honor of Capt. Jason B. Jones in 2015. Jones grew up in Orwigsburg and was a 2003 graduate of Blue Mountain High School.

He went on to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy with a degree in nuclear engineering. After graduating from West Point, Jones chose to branch into the Infantry Division with the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He deployed to Afghanistan in April 2014 as the commander of a 12-man Special Forces A-Team with the Army Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets. Jones died in Afghanistan June 2, 2014, at the age of 29.

“We know the weather can be a damper on the day, but truly it makes it all the more special to see the volunteers persevere to help out one of our partner agencies or a local organization that serves our community,” said Kelly K. Malone, executive director of Schuylkill United Way. “It’s also inspiring to see the projects get rescheduled. People want to help in Schuylkill County. It’s that simple.”

Mike Joyce, director of community engagement for SUW added: “These projects may seem small, like painting doors or pulling weeds — some of them, like setting up huge tents at the Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation are huge projects — but they all mean so much. It’s great getting the jobs done, but being around friendly, caring people that are lending a hand is good to boost everyone’s spirit.”

In the face of 12 hours of rain, volunteers showed up at Avenues (formerly United Cerebral Palsy) in Pottsville ready to tackle their outdoor and indoor projects. Volunteers came from Geisinger St. Luke’s Hospital, Mauch Chunk Trust Company, state Rep. Tim Twardzik and staff and St. Luke’s Hospital — Miners Campus.

Projects included general lawn cleanup and landscaping, removal of an old carpet, and planting a new tree in honor of UCP founder and tireless advocate for those with disabilities, Mal Weaver Bartram.

Through the Operation Gratitude project, letter writing campaigns area organized by schools and libraries throughout Schuylkill County. The letters for Operation Gratitude are included in care packages sent to our servicemen and women all around the globe. It’s a phenomenal organization and a great way to honor Jones and thank those who are currently serving.

One project highlighting community collaboration is the cleanup at the “Little Schuylkill River Walkway” in Tamaqua, which had to be postponed due to weather.

The desire to do this project was voiced by Tamaqua Area High School senior Emily Searfoss at the Schuylkill County Youth Summit held on April 3, at Penn State Schuylkill.

Searfoss said she wanted to do the project during a community service breakout session facilitated by Becky Woods, SUW’s director of marketing and programs.

Searfoss followed up with Tamaqua Area Community Partnerships Executive Director Micah Gursky and EMD employee and Schuylkill County native Sheila Quick — both on a panel at Schuylkill County Youth Summit.

Through continued conversations among Searfoss, her teachers and Youth Summit school coordinators, Courtney Tamagini and Nate Halenar, Woods, Gursky, Quick and Mandy Fitzpatrick, executive director of Schuylkill Connects, the cleanup was planned.

Searfoss stated: “I care deeply about the environment, and organizing this river cleanup was a way to protect something that matters to all of us. The Schuylkill River is part of our community’s identity, and keeping it clean helps ensure it stays healthy for future generations. My hope is that this effort not only brings our community together, but also helps more people understand just how important it is to care for our waterways.”

The mother/daughter duo of Michelle and Meghan Boran returned to the Schuylkill HOPE Center for a second year to help clean their pet shelter.

Volunteers and locations included:

• American Red Cross Pennsylvania River Chapter: Volunteers from the American Red Cross taught Pedro’s Fire Safety Challenge with students at the Schuylkill Haven Elementary Center.

• Avenues: Volunteers from Geisinger St. Luke’s Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital — Miners Campus, Mauch Chunk Trust, office of state Rep. Tim Twardzik.

• Mahanoy City — Volunteers from Highwood.

• Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation: Volunteers from Family and friends of Cap. Jones, M&T Bank, PPL, Hydro, Wegmans, Walmart.

• Helping Harvest Mobile Markets: Volunteers from Mauch Chunk Trust Company and Mid Penn Bank.

• Salvation Army, Pottsville Corps: Volunteers from Lehigh Valley Health Network — Water and Irene Baran Schuylkill Family Medicine Residency

• SARCC: Volunteers from EMD Electronics.

• Servants to All: Volunteers from Hidden River Credit Union.

• Tamaqua Area Adult Day Care Center — 801 E. Broad Street in Tamaqua: Volunteers from EMD Electronics.

• Volunteers from E

The United Way gave special thanks to the parents of Capt. Jones, Joseph H. Jones Jr. and Suzy Jones, and his friends and family, who contribute to this day and Geisinger St. Luke’s Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital — Miners Campus for sponsoring the T-shirts all volunteers received.