Charles City Valero volunteers help spruce up TLC: The Learning Center

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A group of volunteers from Valero gathered at TLC: The Learning Center under a broiling sun Wednesday afternoon to help clean up the play area and playground equipment.

Bob Roberson at least had an occasional mist of water to keep him cool as he power-washed some of the playtoys. A group of TLC kids paid close attention to the action — albeit through a window from the cool of the air-conditioned building.

Kim Wilson, the admin assistant at Valero, said the company has partnered to help out at the Charles City child care center for about a decade.

“We’ve done different things for them like painting, playground cleanup and that kind of stuff,” she said.

“They reach out to us when they have some needs and we’ve been able to help them out through our Volunteer Council. We have a pretty good volunteer program that our corporation supports, company-wide,” Wilson said.

One of the volunteers, overhearing Wilson, joked that it’s all part of a plan to recruit the kids as future employees for the company.

Pam Ost, the TLC director, called it “another ‘Day of Caring’ to TLC from Valero.”

“Each year we receive time and hard work from Valero volunteers who come to perform tasks to support the TLC administration and staff,” she said.

Ost explained that after being open all through the pandemic, the playground needed sweeping, power-washing and raking, as well as a thorough review of all the toys and equipment for health and safety.

They reached out to Valero, and once again the company responded, she said.

“What Valero does for TLC each and every year helps to assure the highest level of care of the children of families of our Charles City community, provided by TLC,” Ost said.