The United Way Day of Caring is a one-day event occurring in the late summer of every year. It provides a special chance for volunteers to give back to our community while making a positive impact on others. Many Day of Caring projects involve clean-up and/or fix-up of single family homes occupied by: seniors with no access to assistance, lower income families and individuals with disabilities. These projects entail hard work for teams and individuals who are rewarded by the pleasure and gratitude of those being helped.

2011 Day of Caring

On Wednesday, August 17, 2011, 1,509 volunteers working in twelve Kosciusko County communities made an incredible difference in many lives. A total of 138 projects benefiting the elderly and those with low incomes and/or disabilities were completed as a part of this year's Day of Caring effort! In addition to those who worked directly on projects, the Day of Caring could not happen without those who served as town managers, food service workers and contractors (included in the 1,509) and Day of Caring committee members and United Way staff (not included in the volunteer count).

History helps to put these numbers in perspective:

·       2005 (first year) - 4 projects with 24 volunteers

·       2007 (third year) - 65 projects in 11 communities with 300 volunteers

·       2009 (fifth year) - 100 projects in 11 communities with 850 volunteers

·       2010 (sixth year) - 117 projects in 12 communities with over 1200 volunteers

·       2011 (seventh year) – 138 projects in 12 communities with 1,509 volunteers

Obviously, when it comes to volunteerism in Kosciusko County, the sky continues to be the limit!

On behalf of Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, The Office of Chapel & Global Ministries at Grace College, Kosciusko Community Senior Services, United Way of Kosciusko County and all the neighbors you helped, we send a heartfelt THANK YOU! to each and every volunteer.