One Hour. Big Impact: How impact60 Is Reimagining Community Giving in Union County
- derekschwyn
- Jan 30
- 3 min read
What if we told you that giving back could start with just one hour a week?
That’s the simple yet powerful idea behind impact60, a nonprofit based in Union County, Ohio, on a mission to transform communities through the collective power of small acts of generosity.
In a recent episode of the Good Stuff Podcast, Lavonna See, Executive Director of impact60, sat down with host Derek Schwinn to pull back the curtain on the organization’s wide-ranging efforts—from emergency shelter to youth empowerment—and how it’s all rooted in a shared belief: everyone has something to give.
⏱️ The 60-Minute Philosophy
The “60” in impact60 isn’t just a catchy name—it’s a challenge. What kind of community could we build if everyone gave just 60 minutes a week? Lavonna explains that this idea was born from founder Bruce Daniels’ vision of giving back with your time, talent, and treasure, starting with what’s most accessible: your time.
🏠 Impact Station: Housing Hope
One of impact60’s cornerstone achievements is Impact Station, a thoughtfully designed 28-bed emergency shelter serving Union County. Before its creation, local residents experiencing homelessness had to leave the county to find housing. Today, Impact Station stands as a place of dignity and transition, serving over 160 individuals in under four years.
“It’s called a station because it’s just a stop—not a destination,” Lavonna shares. “The goal is to get people back on their feet and into long-term stability.”
🍲 The Empty Bowls Project: Fighting Hunger Creatively
If you've never glazed your own bowl and eaten soup from it for a cause, you’re missing out. The Empty Bowls Project brings together local potters, chefs, bakers, and community members in a collaborative event raising funds for school food pantries—providing weekend food for students who might otherwise go without.
The 2026 event is already in motion, and yes—you can make or glaze a bowl to contribute!
🔧 Technician Training: Skills, Second Chances, and New Starts
impact60’s Community Technician Training Program teaches hands-on automotive skills like tire mounting and oil changes to individuals involved in the court system or youth exploring trade careers. With mentorship from professional technicians (who volunteer after their workdays!), the program offers more than skills—it offers opportunity.
And when a participant is just a few hundred dollars away from reclaiming a driver’s license? impact60 is there to bridge the gap.
🏌️♂️ Upcoming: Golf Fundraiser & Youth Driving Programs
impact60 is gearing up for its next big fundraiser golf outing, possibly hosted at the Murphy Village Championship Course. Proceeds will support their next big venture: a youth driving school in Delaware County that blends skills education with youth engagement and even some pro-level driving experiences.
🤝 Collaboration is the Secret Ingredient
One of the most moving moments in the episode? When Lavonna shares how the Marysville BMX community showed up—pouring concrete for a dumpster enclosure at Impact Station, saving the nonprofit nearly $30,000. No red tape. Just generosity.
“That’s the good stuff of community,” Derek says. “People coming together just because they can.”
💡 Want to Get Involved?
Whether you have an hour, a skill, or resources to share, there’s a place for you in the impact60 movement.
🔗 Visit impact60.org to learn more or donate📝 Join the Good Stuff Newsletter for updates, stories, and community opportunities.
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