UNITED WAY ANNOUNCES FIFTH ANNUAL DAY OF CARING
United Way of Mahaska County
Oskaloosa, Iowa – United Way of Mahaska County’s 2012 Day of Caring will take place on Thursday, September 13. This event is a single day United Way sets aside in the community for teams of area volunteers to join forces and make an impact by completing needed service projects for the elderly, disabled, low-income, and/or local nonprofits.
“Our Day of Caring event is an opportunity for community members to get together and give back at their own skill level,” said Katie Schippers, United Way’s Community Impact Coordinator. “It makes quite a statement about the power of volunteerism and demonstrates how well we all do when we combine strengths.”
The event serves other purposes as well. The volunteers are often groups of coworkers who are able to team-build outside the workplace and be introduced first-hand to the activities of local nonprofits or to the needs of struggling individuals. “The process helps our organization to raise awareness of issues facing the community as well as display how our donor contributions are used,” stated Schippers.
For those interested in being involved, Schippers says that the event is structured to provide opportunities for any volunteer with any set of skills. Past projects have included such activities as stuffing mailers, cleaning, weeding, landscaping, scraping, repair work, painting, etc. Time slots are available all day or for just the morning or the afternoon. Teams or individuals interested in applying may access an application at unitedwaymahaska.org/day-caring or by visiting the United Way office at 500 High Ave West in Oskaloosa. Applications are due Friday, August 24. After registering all the volunteer teams, the Day of Caring Committee matches them based on skill level to this year’s projects.
“Due to the large scope of projects Day of Caring encompasses, we’re also introducing a sponsorship structure for this season’s event so we can handle all of the supply needs our projects represent,” added Schippers. “We appreciate any donation of supplies or funds towards making the day possible and would like to thank True Value, Swim’s, and Patritto Orthodontics for stepping up as corporate sponsors.” Materials or funds can be directed to the United Way office.
For more information about United Way of Mahaska County or Day of Caring, please call the United Way office at 641-673-6043 or visit their website at unitedwaymahaska.org.
