Days of Caring

United Way of Hancock County is seeking teams of volunteers and service project requests for the 18th Annual Days of Caring. To meet the needs of the agencies and the number of participating volunteer teams, United Way Days of Caring has been expanded to one full week, this year. They will occur April 30 through May 4,

During United Way Days of Caring, hundreds of volunteers from local companies and organizations form teams and complete projects for local nonprofit agencies that have submitted a project request to United Way.

Last year, 620 volunteers worked four hours each, providing nonprofit organizations in Hancock County with labor worth $52,972. The dollar figure is based on the 2010 national volunteer hourly dollar value of $21.36 per hour.

United Way of Hancock County is encouraging corporate and community volunteers to devote at least four hours out of one workday to complete a service project at a local nonprofit organization. Studies show that the benefits for company volunteer involvement include; a bolstering of team spirit among participating employees, increased company morale, exposure in the community, and a greater understanding of how commitment of time and money makes a difference.

Nonprofit agencies should send project requests to United Way by April 20. This event is not limited to United Way partner agencies.

Past projects have included; taking inventory of supplies, preparing agency mailings, landscaping for different organizations, painting inside and out, as well as cleaning and mulching trails for local parks and nonprofit campgrounds.

The deadline to sign up teams is April 20. To submit project requests or register a team, contact Bev Phillips, Community Services Director, at 419-423-1432 or bphillips@uwhancock.org. Registration materials for projects and volunteers are also available online at http://LiveUnitedHancockCounty.org/daysofcaring