Day of Caring 2023
Our much anticipated annual Day of Caring was a heart-warming success. With the help from 33 different organizations 350+ volunteers accomplished projects for 23 agencies across Polk and Highlands counties.
Volunteers helped with a variety of projects such as organizing, painting, building, cleaning, and food distribution along with running a special olympics for the clients at Ridge Area Arc.
Community Impact Manager Jessica Pease, organized the Polk County projects and volunteers. She shared, “Our Spring Day of Caring was a success thanks to the volunteers who participated and the partner agencies who hosted projects. I enjoyed visiting a few of the sites and seeing the impact first-hand. It was a perfect way to recognize National Volunteer Day and I’m looking forward to planning another Day of Caring this summer.”
United Way of Central Florida is moving from an annual day to hosting this event in a smaller capacity four times a year. The hope is that offering projects on a quarterly basis will allow for more volunteers to participate and more projects to be completed as they come up across the community.
Interim Highlands County Coordinator Liz Lend organized the projects and volunteers for Highlands County. She gushed, “I’m so thankful to live and work in a county thank cares about their neighbors and business like Highlands county does! 250 volunteers did 20 projects, so gracefully and I couldn’t be prouder to be from Highlands county and with United Way of Central Florida.”
“I have deep appreciation for the spirit of volunteerism in our community,” shared COO Rod Crowley, ” A special thank you to our agency partners, workplace campaign partners, UWCF staff, and everyone who served during National Volunteer Appreciation Week.”
Day of Caring falling on National Volunteer week was no coincidence.
Feeling the nudge to participate? You don’t need to wait until the next Day of Caring! Here are some ways you can get involved right now:
- Volunteer at a UWCF Healthy Food Pantry site.
- Become a ReadingPal!
- Participate in the Judd Jog.
- Join a clean-up in your community.
- Write a thank you letter to a first responder.
- Advocate for UWCF to your legislators.
Want to know more about Day of Caring 2023? Make sure to check out our Facebook Live Videos from the day and view our full photo gallery!
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Thank you again to these incredible organizations that showed up and helped improve the community we live in:
Advent Health, Alan Jay Automotive Network, APHS Interact Club, Bank of Central Florida, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Buttonwood Bay, Central Contractors, Central Florida Health Care, Citizens Bank & Trust, City of Sebring, Compass Mortgage, GEICO, GiveWell Community Foundation, Glades Electric Cooperative, HCA Florida Highlands Hospital, Heartland National Bank, Highlands County Board of County Commissioners, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, Highlands County Supervisor of Elections, Highlands County Tax Collector, LPHS Interact Club, Lykes Brothers, Madden Branded Goods, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, Publix Super Markets, Inc., School Board of Highlands County, The Carol Jenkins Barnett United Way Children’s Resource Center, Tiger Town Rotary, Wauchula State Bank, Westlake, United Way of Central Florida Young Leaders Society and Women United members, and UWCF staff.
