United Way’s Day Of Caring Mobilized Volunteers

DANBURY — On Wednesday, June 10, more than 650 volunteers from 30-plus local businesses and corporations showed their “community stuff” by taking part in United Way of Western Connecticut’s Annual Days of Caring. More than 100 projects took place to benefit human services agencies within the 14-town area of northern Fairfield and southern Litchfield Counties.

Among those who made this year’s Day of Caring a success were Taunton Press, who sent volunteers to an Ability Beyond Disability location in New Fairfield; Union Savings Bank, who had volunteers at The Children’s Adventure Center in Sandy Hook; Caldwell & Walsh, whose volunteers spent time at Kent Children’s Center; and Newtown Savings Bank, who had volunteers at Harambee Youth & Cultural Center in Danbury as well as Ridgefield Playhouse. NSB also donated $3,500 to help the United Way cover its costs for Day of Caring.

“Days of Caring offers opportunities for individuals and businesses across the community to demonstrate commitments not only to volunteerism, but to those agencies that serve people in need,” said Michael Johnston, CEO of the United Way of Western Connecticut. “Our community is well-known for responding in a big way, and once again we see this as over 50 social service organizations will benefit from the actions of over 650 energized volunteers.”

Area companies signed up for projects such as landscaping, painting, cleaning, collecting food, and event planning. In addition to the volunteer efforts, local businesses donated thousands of dollars worth of materials and supplies towards Day of Caring projects.

This year marked the 15th anniversary of the Day of Caring, which was established in 1994 by the United Way of Western Connecticut to promote the spirit and value of volunteerism, increase the awareness of local human service agencies, and demonstrate what people working together for the community’s good can accomplish.

A committee of dedicated volunteers from local companies works through the year to ensure a successful Day of Caring campaign. Hands-on projects volunteers complete for local nonprofit agencies save these organizations thousands of dollars, enabling valuable and limited resources to be used for direct services to the organizations’ clients, rather than necessary but costly maintenance projects.