United Way kicks off 17th Annual Day of Caring

United Way of Allen County press release:

United Way Kicks Off 17th Annual Day of Caring
800 Volunteers to Work on Projects that Revitalize Neighborhoods

Approximately 800 volunteers are heading out into the community today for the 17th annual United Way Day of Caring. Fifty-five teams from about 45 local businesses, organizations and organized labor are rolling up their sleeves and working on service projects throughout the Fort Wayne area. NIPSCO is the signature sponsor for this year’s Day of Caring.

The day kicks off with a breakfast provided at Headwaters Park. During the breakfast, volunteers gather to learn about the service projects and how they impact the area.

“Day of Caring is such a positive tradition, not only for United Way, but also for our community,” said Jerry Peterson, president and CEO of United Way of Allen County. “For the last 17 years, hundreds of local residents have demonstrated again and again that together we can make our community a better place. They’ve shown that a little hard work is all it takes to make life better for our neighbors.”

United Way’s Day of Caring gets volunteers directly involved in improving the community. This year, Day of Caring has a LIVE UNITED theme; everyone working together to build a better community.

There are a total of 55 projects this year. This year’s Day of Caring will focus on neighborhood revitalization within 13 neighborhoods selected in cooperation with the City of Fort Wayne’s community development staff. Neighborhoods include Northcrest, Rudisill-Plaza, Northside, Pettit/Rudisill, Bloomingdale/Nebraska, Village Woods, Brookmill, Southwick Village, South Wayne/Fairfield, Brentwood Park, Harrison Hill, New Haven/Monroeville and Oxford/Weisser Park. Projects include cleaning, painting and landscaping at non-profit agencies, schools, child care centers, after-school youth program sites and churches.

Sprucing up two agencies on Fairfield Avenue:
GE employees will be working at Whitington Homes (2423 Fairfield Ave.) and the Boys and Girls Club (2609 Fairfield Ave.) to paint, clean and make minor repairs at the two agencies.

Sorting canned goods:
Two businesses that are normally competitors, Erie Insurance and Farmers Insurance, are coming together to sort donated food and stock shelves at the Community Harvest Food Bank (999 E. Tillman Road).

Carnival assistance:
Park Center will be helping YMCA Child Care Services (3135 Elmhurst Dr.) with their day care carnival. Volunteers will help run booths and games.

A new team joins the effort:
Vera Bradley is joining this year’s Day of Caring by working at Study Elementary School (2414 Brooklyn Avenue). Volunteers will be painting, cleaning and landscaping.

Signature Sponsor works on residential project:
NIPSCO employees will work on a residential project (1321 Green Road, 46774) submitted by the League for the Blind and Disabled.

Organized Labor pitches in:
Organized Labor has been a big part of Day of Caring since its inception. This year, members of organized labor from BF Goodrich will be working at the Early Childhood Alliance child care site (516 E. Wayne St.) doing plenty of cleaning and painting.

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