MINGO JUNCTION - Huntington Bank branch managers from throughout the Ohio Valley volunteered their time Thursday to help the village.

As part of the United Way of Jefferson County's annual A Day of Caring events, the managers gathered to lend a helping hand at various areas in the village, including the cemetery, Municipal Building and Hills Elementary School.

Although A Day of Caring was celebrated on Oct. 30 and volunteers throughout Jefferson County came together to help work on a variety of projects that day, some volunteers couldn't get together until Thursday.

And the wait was worth it, according to officials.

Mingo Social Services Director Sophie Schoolcraft said the day was made possible through the United Way of Jefferson County.

According to Nancy Grim, executive director of the United Way of Jefferson County, the annual event is "a time when local nonprofits and special community-based efforts receive much needed services from generous volunteers who desire to make a difference right here at home."

"During the hard times we face in our area, we always reach out and pull each other up," Grim noted.

Work done at the cemetery included pulling weeds, raking and bulldozing fallen leaves and moving rocks. Branch managers volunteering for the cemetery work were Cheryl Sutton of the Salineville site; Laura Cade, Toronto; Kathy Mishler, Cadiz; Gina Moore, Calcutta; Rick Steele, Chester; Kim Felmet, Huntington board member and United Way volunteer; John Durant, Ohio Valley district manager; and Chris Shepherd, Richmond.

Durant explained the groups were "really happy they could help the community."

"We (Huntington) consider (the village) to be a great partner and value the relationship we have with this community," Durant said. He noted by getting involved in such an opportunity to help, it makes everyone "feel good about this community we live in."

Inside the Municipal Building, workers washed and painted the kitchen. Branch managers involved were Janet Pavlov, Mingo branch; Terri McConnaughy, Bergholz; and Tiffany Swearingen, Wintersville.

Volunteers also assisted at Hills school, painting playground equipment, picnic tables and fence poles. Those involved included Ken Peterson, Hollywood Plaza branch; Pam McKim, Woodsdale/Wheeling; Mark Johnson, Weirton; and Beth Maskivish, Shadyside.

Principal Clyde DiAngelo stated it was "very nice for the volunteers to take a day to help us out."

He noted the work is appreciated and will "benefit the children" at the school.

Schoolcraft said she is grateful to all of the volunteers who cared about the village enough to give their day to making it a better place.

The local United Way aids 19 area nonprofit agencies in its 2010 Live United campaign, which has a goal of $430,000.

(Ghrist can be contacted at jstenger@heraldstaronline.com.)