'Richland One Cares' About Volunteering

Richland One employees stepped out of their roles as school nurses, secretaries and administrators to volunteer at The Salvation Army and other nonprofit organizations Friday. 

Friday was "Richland One Cares" day — a day of service for more than 400 non-teaching district employees. 

Anna Taylor, a school nurse at A.J. Lewis Greenview Elementary, was one in group of about six Richland One employees who sorted clothes at The Salvation Army on N. Millwood Avenue in Columbia. 

"We were asked at our work sites if we chose to do this, and I did because I don't mind giving back service to others," Taylor said. 

The volunteers worked in the back of The Salvation Army where all of the donations are sorted, priced and prepared for sale in the thrift store. They took clothes from boxes, put them on hangers and placed them on color-coded racks. 

Store Manager George Holmes said the volunteers were a big help. 

"It helps us out a lot," Holmes said, "because things that would normally get done in two days will get done in one day." 

Other volunteers from the district spent time at organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Washington Street United Methodist Church Soup Kitchen and Harvest Hope Food Bank. 

"Richland One Cares" is inspired by Rachel Scott, the first student killed in the Columbine tragedy. After her death, Scott's family started Rachel's Challenge, a program that encourages students and adults to live a life of service. 

A representative from Rachel's Challenge spoke to Richland One employees during the volunteer orientation sessions Friday.

Event organizer Kevin Alberse, who works as a professional development consultant with the district, said Richland One employees were generous in giving their time.

“Richland One Cares is an opportunity for our employees to get a deeper understanding of the importance of service,” said Alberse. “It also educates them about some of the challenges and obstacles faced by some of the students and families in our community.”