The description was enough to put a lump in the throat of anyone who has lost a dear family member of the four-legged variety.
At the Pine Bluff Animal Shelter on Thursday, volunteers built and painted a “rainbow bridge,” a multi-colored archway that can be used for contemplative moments.
As the United Way’s Jason Duren explained it, “When a family pet dies, it waits for its owner at the rainbow bridge, and when the owner dies, the pet is there to escort its owner into heaven.”
Told you.
The rainbow bridge was but one of a half-dozen or more projects the United Way of Southeast Arkansas organized as part of its Day of Caring, an annual event that puts scores of volunteers to work on projects that need attention.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Usually, the work is limited to one area, but because there were so many volunteers — 150 or more — they were divvied up, with some going to Edgewood Elementary School where they beautified flower beds and others picking up trash, mowing and removing debris along Apple and Orlando streets. Some 20 or so businesses sent employees to help, and Simmons, Relyance and FBT banks provided refreshments and lunch. The volunteers came from as far away as Little Rock to lend a hand.
Stephen Edwards, the community disaster program specialist with the Red Cross, said he and two colleagues came down from the capital city.
“It was fun,” he said, looking at his paint-spattered hands. “I really enjoyed it.”
UAPB was represented by Makaila Riedel, a senior soccer player and president of the school’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee. She said she and the leaders of the university’s baseball and track and field teams had come out to help out.
“Our adviser let us know about this project so we came out,” she said. “We look for ways that our athletes can engage with the public, and this was certainly that.”
Duren thanked Kingdom Builders Church officials for allowing the Day of Caring personnel to use the church grounds as a meeting place, and he also thanked the volunteers for pulling it all together.
“Everything went very well,” he said. “All of the projects were accomplished and everyone had fun along the way.”
Last year, Day of Caring volunteers were concentrated along a public right of way on Hazel Street where they weeded and planted plants and trees when the heat was almost unbearable. This year, the weather cooperated, but Wednesday’s rain made for some nervous moments.
“My finger was on the cancel button,” Duren said. “I was ready to push it, but thankfully I didn’t have to. We were very fortunate with the nice weather today.”
