Ask George R. Marchinos to place a value on the work done last fall at Camp Lewis Perkins by volunteer workers taking part in the College’s inaugural Day of Giving, and he has a ready answer. "We really wouldn’t survive without them, let’s put it that way," says Marchinos, property manager for the camp. The improvements made last year—repairs to buildings, clearing of trails, the installation of sinks in each bathroom, and more—were enjoyed by thousands of Scouts this year, he says.

On September 28, workers will be back at Camp Lewis Perkins, and at a dozen other sites in South Hadley, Holyoke, Easthampton, and Chicopee, wielding paintbrushes, hammers, saws, electrical pliers, rakes, shovels, and other tools in the service of eight nonprofit organizations. More than seventy-five workers, including staff, students, and faculty, are expected to take part, donating their day of labor and expertise.

These projects represent needs that are no less urgent for the lack of funds to carry them out. At an apartment building for low-income residents in Chicopee, new baseboard heaters will keep the laundry room warm when the weather turns frigid. At a church in Easthampton, walls will rise around a new child care center. And at the Girl Scout camp, workers will reroof outbuildings, build an amphitheater, fix screens and shutters, install sinks in rest rooms, and repair the floor of the camp office.

The Day of Giving was established last year by the College’s Facilities Management division and Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. With the success of last year’s event, which involved forty-three facilities management workers, this year’s was expanded to include staff, faculty, and students.

The event was the idea of Stephen R. Page, a heating and air-conditioning specialist with the College. "Everybody had fun, and we did a lot of good work,” says Page, who is helping to coordinate this year’s event. "Everyone at every site did amazing work," says Andrea Ayvazian, the College’s dean of religious life, who last year traveled with Page to bring donuts to workers at each location. "Folks were working with a wonderful spirit, doing the most professional work, giving of themselves completely. It was MHC at its best,” Ayvazian says.

On Friday, crews will be deployed from the Otto C. Kohler Building at 8 am and will spend their work day on site. Work crews are to return to campus by 3:30 pm. Lunches will be provided by dining services.

The nonprofit organizations that are receiving help are: Girl Scouts of South Hadley (roofing, electrical work, plumbing, and grounds keeping at Camp Lewis Perkins), God is Love Church of Easthampton (carpentry), Womanshelter/Companeras (cleaning and painting), Valley Opportunity Council (cleaning, painting, carpentry, and installation of air-conditioning at five sites in Chicopee and Holyoke), South Hadley Historical Society (removal of carpeting at the Sycamores), Jericho House in Holyoke (landscaping), and the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home (grounds work).