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Comcast Employees Work to Renovate Augusta Club Volunteers Fix Up Center for Children

Posted on: Monday, 7 November 2005, 03:00 CST

By Adam Folk< Staff Writer

With two young daughters and a full-time job as a customer service representative for Comcast Cable, Marlo Heffernan needs all the free time she can get.

But on Saturday she was able to accommodate work, family and volunteering when she and her two daughters joined 260 other Comcast employees and family members in renovating the Boys and Girls Club of Augusta.

"A lot of times in everyday life we don't have time to give back," Ms. Heffernan said as she covered a dull cinder block wall with a bright new coat of lemon-colored paint. "Working with a group of people who really care about the community makes it easier for me to give my time."

For five years running, "Com-cast Cares Day" has gathered employees together to complete relatively large volunteer projects in a short amount of time. The Boys and Girls Club renovation is the largest volunteer project in the CSRA to answer Gov. Sonny Perdue's call for volunteerism, which was a part of his "Hands On Georgia" week.

In addition to painting, volunteers installed new computers, constructed picnic tables and raked and mowed the club's grounds. The centerpiece of the day's work was the complete overhaul of the club's dilapidated baseball field. Volunteers completed the renovation in a mere four hours, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Ms. Heffernan said an important part of volunteering is teaching children the value of giving their time for the greater good.

"The kids love it, and teaching them at a young age to give back to the community is important," she said.

Her 14-year-old daughter, La-cy, painted the wall next to her mother. Lacy said her favorite part was "painting and helping other people."

Bill Botham, the public relations manager for Comcast, said part of the reason Comcast chose the Boys and Girls Club this year was the size of the facility, which was large enough to keep more than 260 volunteers busy.

And it was in need of some serious help.

"They needed it," Mr. Botham said.

"We select a different location each year, and while there are a lot of local charities, they really need the help."

In the past, Comcast volunteers have given their time to the ASU Literacy Center, the Augusta Boxing Club and the Golden Harvest Food Bank.

Reach Adam Folk at (706) 828-3904

or adam.folk@augustachronicle.com.

Source: Augusta Chronicle, The

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