Projects Sought for Day of Caring - Monday, June 16, 2008

FORT WAYNE (June 4, 2008) – Work projects and volunteers are being sought for United Way of Allen County’s 16th annual Day of Caring set for August 8, 2008.

Day of Caring is a communitywide effort to match volunteers with projects such as painting or cleaning at local non-profits or other organizations. United Way is asking organization leaders to submit potential projects to Jamie Garwood at United Way no later than June 30, 2008. Garwood can be reached at 260.422.4776.

This year’s Day of Caring will have a special focus – all projects will be aimed at helping kids succeed, emphasizing United Way’s commitment to efforts that boost local children’s achievement in school and life. Projects will take place at organizations such as youth centers and child care centers. All agencies serving children and youth are eligible to submit projects; the agencies do not have to be United Way partners to participate.

Volunteer teams can sign up to participate at www.unitedwayallencounty.org and click on the volunteer button. Projects are available for any team size.

In addition to the new emphasis on helping children, Day of Caring will also introduce a new award – the Golden Paintbrush Award. The Golden Paintbrush Award will honor several longtime Day of Caring volunteers who are committed to United Way and the greater Fort Wayne community. The Day of Caring volunteer committee will select the recipients.

Each year for the last 15 years, United Way’s Day of Caring has brought together approximately 1,000 volunteers and matched them with dozens of valuable projects.

Through United Way’s unique role of encouraging a common vision, the organization helps bring the entire community together to find effective solutions to vital issues. Through fundraising, United Way helps support a broad range of services that includes more than 70 programs and other initiatives to improve lives and provide lasting change. United Way priorities are services that improve success in school, promote family stability and meet basic needs.

_______________________________________________________________________

Contacts:
Rick Farrant, Director of Marketing & Communications, 422-4776 or rickf@uwacin.org
Mary Tyndall, e-Communications Coordinator, 422-4776 or maryt@uwacin.org