MSA United Way is gathering up over 1,000 volunteers for Day of Caring on August 12 to make a difference in our community. But first, we need projects. If you have a project idea that would benefit a local non-profit, park, church or school, please submit your proposal to United Way before Friday, July 10th. Find the simple application form at https://www.msaunitedway.org/day-caring-project-proposal .
All community members are encouraged to submit project ideas. Projects submitted should take around six hours to complete and should be appropriate for both skilled and unskilled volunteers. Due to COVID-19, we have several ways to keep our projects safe for all involved. These options include remaining social distanced outside, limiting inside projects to families or individuals, and hosting virtual projects such as recording a concert for individuals in a nursing home or reading a story to elementary students. Chosen projects will then be completed by teams of United Way volunteers on August 12. Generous businesses provide supplies, water and food for the volunteers.
Volunteer tasks for nonprofit office buildings, shelters, community spaces and/or qualifying client residences may include: painting, lawn care for the elderly or people with disabilities, deep cleaning, minor repairs and restoration, organizing food pantries, sorting donations, virtually reading to children, filling backpacks with food and school supplies, delivering meals, building playgrounds in low-income areas, etc.
United Way’s Day of Caring started in 2000 as an opportunity to unite our community for the common good. Last year, well over 75 projects were completed by 1,342 volunteers for local non-profits, parks and schools. On the one day, local entities saved over $337,625 that they could then reinvest into the programs and services our community needs most. This year the Day of Caring Chair is Brian Verdouw from NISC, one of United Way’s longtime supporters.
If you know someone that is in need or have an idea to make the community a better place, submit a project application by visiting https://www.msaunitedway.org/day-caring-project-proposal or calling 701.255.3601.