BRATTLEBORO — More than 1,000 volunteers from local companies, schools, and towns will participate in community improvement projects across Windham County on Saturday, Sept. 6, at United Way of Windham County's annual Day of Caring.
An estimated $10,000 in labor will be donated during the largest one-day volunteer service event in the county.
Day of Caring is sponsored by The Richards Group, Holstein Association USA, and Derby Building & Woodwork, with media support from the Brattleboro Reformer.
United Way's year-round volunteer engagement efforts are supported as well by a grant from the Thomas Thompson Trust.
Day of Caring begins at 8 a.m. with a kick-off breakfast at the American Legion in Brattleboro.
From 9 a.m. to noon dozens of individuals, families, and volunteer teams - dressed in their finest United Way T-shirts - will fan out to sites throughout Windham County to provide volunteer service.
According to United Way of Windham County Executive Director Carmen Derby, volunteers are the cornerstone of United Way of Windham County. “Volunteers inspire me every day,” she said in a press release.
She added: “Day of Caring is a very public way that we mobilize the caring power of the community. We are grateful to everyone who volunteers their time and talent to create a powerful and moving day for everyone and a stronger county throughout the year.”
2014 Day of Caring project sites include the Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center in Brattleboro, Turning Point in Brattleboro, Southern Vermont Therapeutic Riding Center in Newfane, The Family Garden in West Brattleboro, and the Vermont Foodbank's gleaning operations in Westminster.
Included in Day of Caring is a Back-to-School Supply Drive to benefit local students. Volunteers are encouraged to bring school supplies to Day of Caring. Items will be sorted as part of the event.
United Way also accepts school supply donations through Friday, Sept. 5, at their office at 1 Holstein Place in Brattleboro (enter on Reed Street, off of South Main), during regular business hours.
Faith communities, businesses, neighborhoods, civic associations, and the community at large are encouraged to create a school supply drive to benefit Windham County students.