by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Cathy Turner makes no bones about it.
“I am firm, but I am fair,” said Turner, coordinator for daniel’s independent living village.
In a few short weeks Turner and the rest at daniel may have a few more dollars in the bank account thanks to the volunteers who devote a week of their lives annually to The Players Championship. It’s no secret The Players generates tons of money for local charities. Last year, $3 million was raised and distributed to 94 local charities and nonprofits.
This year, the volunteers are taking that charitable aspect one step further. During a recent on-line vote, daniel was selected to the recipient of the volunteers’ first “Mission Impact” initiative. The goal is to raise $40,000 — that’s $20 per volunteer — and turn that money over to daniel. Next year, the volunteers will select a different specific charity through which to raise money on their own.
“This organization was created by the volunteers to support local charities,” said volunteer Michele McManamon, who is helping run the Mission Impact project. “They already give their time and talent to the tournament. This is for a specific charity.”
Like others facing an iffy economy, McManamon is well-aware that this is a precarious time to be asking for more, especially from a group that donates their time and sweat working long days during The Players to assure everyone from the worldwide media to the fans has a pleasant experience.
“Even with the economy, people have $20 in their pocket for a good cause,” she said. “This is a great organization and this is their legacy.”
Jimmy Kelly, development director for daniel, appreciates whatever the volunteers can raise.
“In this economy, it’s huge,” said Kelly.
The independent living village was created to help young adults learn the skills necessary to succeed in life. There are 12 efficiency apartments and the kids are anywhere from 17-21 years-old and at one point, homeless.
“They must go to school — high school or college — and they have to work,” said Kelly, adding the staff at daniel also teaches them how to apply for jobs and dress for interviews.
The residents are responsible for their own checking accounts and they cook for themselves.
Turner has been running the village for a dozen years and puts her success rate at 97 percent.
“I tell them, ‘You can sit on the sofa now, but I want you sitting in my chair in 10 years.’ Their job is to make us look good,” said Turner.
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