A cluster of volunteers stood in the hallway of Altoona’s Emergency Family Shelter Wednesday, paint-covered and smiling.
‘‘We’re having fun,’’ said volunteer Nancy Musselman. ‘‘It’s a nice day out of work to help the community out.’’
Musselman and nine of her coworkers from Altoona First Savings Bank spent the day painting six rooms at the shelter as part of the 15th annual United Way of Blair County’s Day of Caring.
‘‘It’s a great chance for the community to get together and become united to do something for the people who are always there for them,’’ said Carol Steffen, an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) member who helped to organize the day’s events and 136 volunteers.
The emergency shelter is open to people in crisis, offering a place to stay and assistance during the maximum 30-day stay.
‘‘[We help] people that are living in bad situations,’’ said Edwina Hendrixon, director.
Since 1999, the shelter has helped 205 families, 528 clients and 1,600 individuals.
Hendrixon and Case Manager Rodney Cornelius said families or individuals can stay at the shelter after an eviction, job loss, disasters not covered by the Red Cross or any other reason that might force them from their homes.
Assistance includes arranging referrals to organizations such as Blair County Community Action; Department of Public Welfare; Women, Infants and Children; and Altoona Regional Health System.
‘‘We do more referring,’’ Hendrixon said, as opposed to offering programs on their own. ‘‘We just house them.’’
Other volunteers spent the day at Canoe Creek State Park with adults providing children with role models through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Blair County.
Executive Director Karen Kelley said the organization has participated in the Day of Caring since its inception.
‘‘It’s such a nice opportunity for people in the community to spend time with our little brothers and sisters,’’ Kelley said. ‘‘[It’s] a day [for the kids] to get out and enjoy themselves — to be kids. And for the adults to be kids, too. ... We occasionally get a [permanent] big brother or sister from the day.’’
Brenda Figart of Altoona attended the Day of Caring event at Canoe Creek two years ago. After spending time with the children, she immediately decided to become a big sister.
For the past two years, Figart has spent three to six hours every other week with her little sister.
‘‘I think the bond I had with the little [girl] that day” made me join, Figart said. ‘‘She was a loving child.’’
The Day of Caring gives volunteers the chance to help organizations that always focus on helping others.
‘‘It’s really nice for the community to say, ‘Hey, we appreciate the fact that you’re here, so we’re gonna come and do something for you,’’’ Steffen said.
