With summer in full swing, many employee volunteer programs and service-minded colleagues begin to prepare for the annual United Way Days of Caring. Traditionally, Days of Caring was a weeklong event each fall that mobilized hundreds of volunteers from local workplaces. Employee teams would dedicate a day, or half-day, of service to complete a project for United Way partner organizations. Projects varied from painting, light construction and yardwork, to whatever needed doing by a team of helping hands.
Days of Caring teams are organized within companies who host an annual workplace campaign for the United Way; thus offering an opportunity for employees to visit and see firsthand the organizations that benefit from their contributions. In turn, the organizations benefit immensely from the completion of work that would otherwise prove costly to their already-strained budgets.
HandsOn Mid-Willamette, a volunteer action center and initiative of the United Way, works directly with companies and applies their expertise to ensure that each company has an unforgettable experience.
During recent years, it became a burden for non-profit organizations to coordinate multiple services projects during the restricted one-week time frame. And many companies were unable to participate because of the timing of the event. As a result, HandsOn and the United Way put their heads together and came up with a plan to revamp Days of Caring and take the corporate volunteer experience to a whole new level.
Going forward, Days of Caring will be a year-round program. Companies will be able to coordinate their volunteer team for a day of service according to a date that works best for the team. And nonprofit organizations can submit projects throughout the year as needed.
Get started today! Gather colleagues and determine the best time of year for a Day of Caring. We recommend selecting one of the nine National Days of Service, which offer an opportunity to work side-by-side with other members of the community.
Contact Khela Singer at HandsOn to discuss your company’s goals and logistics at least one month prior to your preferred project date. The entire HandsOn staff will work with you to create a memorable, unique day of service.
Find out more about Days of Caring, National Days of Service and additional volunteer opportunities at: www.handsonmwv.org
Melissa Gibler is the program director for HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley—an initiative of the United Way. She can be reached at (877) 372-4141, or melissa@handsonmwv.org
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