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BOARDMAN – It’s been said that those who truly love their jobs never have to work a day in their lives.
Perhaps the same can be said for those such as Chelsea Walker who regularly volunteer their time and services.
“Advocating for the working man is important to me,” Walker, a Youngstown State University sophomore and human-relations major, said.
It’s probably a bit more accurate, however, to state that she also is advocating for women and children – working or not – via being part of an effort to distribute a variety of donated items to those in need.
That action bore ripe fruit because Walker was among an estimated 90 students, staff and faculty members from YSU’s Williamson College of Business Administration who partnered with the United Way of the Mahoning Valley to volunteer for the third annual United We Care effort Thursday morning at the United Way Volunteer & Resource Center, 8133 Market St.
Walker, whose career ambition is to work for a nonprofit agency, quickly found a love for volunteering while in high school, which included tutoring middle school students and for a church food pantry. Later, she followed that path on behalf of the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality in Youngstown, which runs an array of community programs and provides shelter and housing services for those who are experiencing homelessness. The agency also works to combat human trafficking.
On Thursday, Walker was paired with Brianna Bauer, a YSU freshman who’s majoring in marketing, to fill plastic bins with packages of ramen noodles.
“It’s definitely a change for me in college,” Bauer, whose career goal is to work in the social media arena, said, referring to the UW program.
The items that include food, hygiene products, school supplies and special pairs of socks will be distributed to UW’s Care Closets in 34 school buildings that represent 16 districts, Laura Dewberry, a WCBA faculty member, noted.
Everything was bought from local vendors that served as sponsors, said Dewberry, who also is the Center for Nonprofit Leadership’s director. For example, the Youngstown Foundation sponsors the Youngstown City School District, she said.
When asked why she pitched in for the Thursday cause, Monique Bradford took a straightforward path, along which were no ambiguities.
“I just believe in donating back to the community and helping people,” Bradford, the university’s Master of Business Association coordinator, said.
Her volunteer footprints also lie deeply embedded in the Junior League of the Mahoning Valley. Specifically, Bradford has pitched in to assist with JL’s signature events, such as its annual Pink Ribbon Tea for breast cancer survivors, and the Purse Bingo, the agency’s largest fundraiser.
The 31st annual Pink Ribbon Tea is set for Monday at Waypoint 4180 in Canfield. Doors open at 11 a.m. The Purse Bingo will be Feb. 26.
Bradford, whose son graduated last year from Ursuline High School, said the Catholic school also has partnered with UW.
While filling a large bin with snack items Thursday, Bradford partnered with Maggie Cope, a YSU freshman whose major is finance.
Cope also has a long track record of volunteering – specifically, 16 years with a local 4-H club that has worked with numerous community-based organizations. In addition, Cope has enjoyed being part of a pancake breakfast for firefighters in Kensington, she said.
Another benefit for those who participated in Thursday’s event was the social aspect, as well as allowing the students to get to know one another and work together for a common good, Dewberry said.
“We’re trying to teach these business professionals about civic responsibility and give them an opportunity to interact with each other and interact with faculty and staff in an informal environment,” Cope said.