Posted by: Ross Nisly

Kent State University Alumni Association’s had a record number of volunteers participate in the Fourth Annual National Day of Service Saturday, April 21, 2012. There were volunteer locations throughout Northeast Ohio, as well as Central Ohio and even in Raleigh, North Carolina and Southern California! My wife and I volunteered at the Haven of Rest in Akron, Ohio, a rescue mission home for the homeless community in Akron.

There were about 35 volunteers at the home and we were able to help out in a few different ways. Half of the group washed dishes to help prepare for Haven of Rest’s annual banquet the following week. For this banquet, they use a special dinnerware set that is only used for this specific event, so there were plenty of dishes to be cleaned. The other half of the group went to the donation center and did a little spring  cleaning; some of our tasks included making beds, sweeping and mopping the floors, wiping the walls, folding and sorting laundry and washing mats. This building had over 100 beds that are available for the homeless men in the community, and Haven of Rest also has another building that houses homeless women and children.

I have volunteered at the Haven of Rest a few different times and always enjoy my time there; they do a great job with what they do to help out the homeless community!