More than 75 volunteers take on 29 projects during Mahaska County Day of Caring
Mahaska County United Way Executive Director Michella Friesen in the Oskaloosa News Studio.
OSKALOOSA — Volunteers painted garage doors, cleared gutters, pulled weeds and helped local nonprofits during United Way of Mahaska County’s Day of Caring on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Michella Friesen, the organization’s executive director, said more than 75 volunteers took part in 29 projects. Residents submitted requests, and a committee looked at the jobs before volunteer teams went to work.
One woman asked for two garage doors to be painted. The old paint was so loose that it came off when a committee member touched a door, Friesen said. With humid weather making it difficult for the doors to dry after pressure washing, volunteers cleaned them with isopropyl alcohol and painted them.
The woman’s young great-great-grandson watched the work and pretended to paint with his own brush. Friesen said the woman was “so excited that we actually got her doors done.”
Other teams pulled weeds and cleaned gutters at homes. Volunteers also painted walls at FACE of Mahaska County’s art center in Oskaloosa, including one wall more than 13 feet high. Friesen said volunteers also worked at Crisis Intervention Services.
Some of the day’s value came from spending time with neighbors. Friesen said residents sometimes stepped outside to talk with volunteers, went back in and returned later for another conversation.
“We know that volunteering just fills people’s buckets,” Friesen said. She said it can also help volunteers make friends and meet others in the community.
United Way offered morning, afternoon and all-day shifts, as well as shorter assignments for students. Lunch gave volunteers from different shifts a chance to meet and talk about their projects.
Friesen said turnout was lower than in some years. Sept. 11 marked the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, and a commemoration was held on Oskaloosa’s square that morning. She said Friday sports schedules also made it harder for some college students to take part. Still, she called the turnout a success.
Before Day of Caring, United Way told its social media followers that those unable to volunteer could support Suds of Love by donating laundry pods. The outreach helps families do laundry at no cost.
Day of Caring also began United Way’s annual fundraising campaign. Friesen said local donations help pay for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Mahaska County. The program mails an age-appropriate book each month to enrolled children younger than 5.
Friesen said about 475 local children were already in the program, with more than 60 additional registrations received during the three weeks before the interview. She said continued local support is needed to pay for the books.
United Way also recruits volunteers for the summer meal program run in partnership with the Oskaloosa Community School District.
The organization’s Power of the Purse fundraiser is scheduled for Oct. 1 at Debbie’s Celebration Barn. The posted RSVP deadline was Sept. 24.
People interested in volunteering can visit volunteermahaska.org, which lists opportunities with organizations across the county, or call United Way at 641-673-6043. Its office is at 102 First Ave. East in Oskaloosa.
