They cleaned, they cooked, they served food and handed out clothing. Volunteers throughout Lawrence County opened their hearts and offered a hand Saturday in local observances of the national Make A Difference Day.

COAL GROVE — Seven-year-old Paige Copley tried her hardest to pull a box of clothing and other items through the parking lot of Coal Grove Church of the Nazarene to her mom’s waiting car, but the box was almost as big as she was.

“This really helps,” her mom, Stephanie Copley, of Scioto County, said. “I have two kids and this helps us get extra clothing for fall and winter.”

As Copley put her boxes in her car, others were making their way inside the church fellowship hall in search of food and clothing that the church was giving away as part of its annual Make A Difference Day observance.

“We’ve had over 100 people and that’s really good,” Vickie McDaniel said. McDaniel, a member of the church was one of the volunteers on hand for the event.

Make A Difference Day Chairperson LillianSlaughter said the clothing and the free meal were the biggest draws to bring visitors to the church. There were also flu shots and free health screenings available.

Down the street, four volunteers, David Rigsby, Paul Pickett, Lloyd Baldridge and the pastor, the Rev. Jeff Canfield, unplugged gutters and blew leaves into a pile at the home of one woman who is not able to do such chores herself. Canfield said he hoped people who saw the buzz of activity would realize there is a purpose for all this activity.

“We want people to know that we are their neighbor,” Canfield said. “Even though the church is an organization, we are their neighbor and we are reaching out, not only this day but throughout the year.”

IRONTON—At the VFW 8850 post home in Ironton, Carlos Fugett brought in some canned goods and then helped himself to a bowl of homemade chili and a peanut butter sandwich. He has been to the VFW before but not for the Make A Difference Day observance organized by the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. What brought him out?

“I just knew it was a good thing to do,” he replied.

VFW Ladies Auxiliary president Bev Clay said the food will be donated to a local food pantry.

“We’ve done this every year for about the last 10 years. We know others need help,” she said. “We’re doing this for the people who don’t have enough to eat and they need food for the food pantry. We also want them to know this is a veteran’s organization and this is another way we stand for veterans. We want them to know we’re here to help people.”

PROCTORVILLE— Volunteers also spent Saturday cleaning up the Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. For a complete story, see the Wednesday Eastern Tribune.