SACO — Wednesday was not a typical day at the office at Haley’s Metal Shop.

The office staff at the Biddeford company left their desks and computers and picked up paintbrushes at the Esther Residence in Saco, a transitional home for women leaving incarceration run by the Good Shepherd Sisters.

The staff were helping out the nuns through United Way Day of Caring, an annual day of service sponsored by United Way.

Since 2015, staff at Haley’s Metal have been helping nuns and residents paint green walls a light shade of yellow.

“This yellow just brightens it up,” said Sister Joanne Roy. 

Resident Shannon Dupree agreed. “I think it’s spectacular that they’re donating their time for a good cause,” she said.

Haley’s Metal Vice President Matt Haley said a few years ago the company was looking for an opportunity to do some volunteer work as a team building exercise to help the community, and he contacted the United Way.

What turned out to be what Haley called “random” connection has turned into an ongoing relationship. Haley said the office crew will come back next year and paint if there’s any more painting to do, and if not, they’ll lend a hand some other way. 

Roy said they’ve developed a friendship with Haley’s Metal, and staff have come over to help move a radiator when a new floor was being installed and have donated items for the residents.

United Way of York County Marketing & Donor Development Senior Manager Fiona Robinson said 1,100 volunteers worked on 80 projects throughout York County on Wednesday, the 22nd annual Day of Caring. 

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325, or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.

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