HomeAid Volunteer Day

On June 24th, a group of us from the company went to a local community shelter for battered women to lend a hand with some indoor and outdoor painting of the structure. The project was coordinated by HomeAid Chicago – a nonprofit that works in partnership with the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago to build dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives.

There were lots of folks from Chicagoland area businesses who came out to help. The WarmlyYours team had varying degrees of painting experience. I had not done much painting before, but the project coordinator welcomed me with open arms! It warmed my heart to see the outpouring of volunteers who were willing to donate their time and talent to such a worthy cause. Not surprising, there was lots to be done…the shelter was a little battered itself and in need of a facelift.


It was refreshing to get away from the daily grind of office life for a day. At the same time, it was sobering to go into the community where I was reminded of the challenges that so many women are facing. The Wings shelter was designed to provide a temporary “safe house” to women and children who are victims of domestic violence. It was heartbreaking to witness the tremendous need for this type of outreach just miles from my workplace which is situated on a beautifully landscaped campus where the Kemper Open golf tournament was once played.

Volunteering at the shelter served as a reminder that there are women and children who struggle everyday, just to get through the day. It was a privilege to be given this opportunity to touch the life of a woman or child that I will never meet, but who I was able to support in some small way. Not only did I learn a thing or two about painting, but the shelter actually looked pretty good by day’s end. My experience made me count my blessings and realize how truly fortunate I am.



Vickie, Marketing Communications Manager

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