On Sept. 8, United Way will be hosting its annual Day of Caring, bringing businesses, employees and residents from the entire valley to clean up the community.
As a national event, companies throughout the country participate in the Day of Caring events and organizers are very optimistic this year.
The morning will begin with breakfast at BYU’s LaVell Edwards Stadium at 7:30 a.m. Each participant will be given a T-shirt donated by Utah Community Credit Union and Young Living.
After that, the groups will disperse to each of their individual service sites. This year, the university has been assigned to help a family in Orem repair their home before winter. While at the home, volunteers should expect to be scraping old paint off and re-painting, sanding and doing yard work. The estimated time of completion is roughly noon.
Last year the turnout was phenomenal. Over 1,000 volunteers helped out at 29 different sites. The estimated total hours of service was over 3,000, with 40 different companies participating.
This year, Jones Paint and Glass will donate supplies and the Marriot Hotel will sponsor breakfast. BYU is providing their stadium and companies from all over the valley are donating their employees for a day.
The university began participating in the Day of Caring back in 2003. Each year since, students and staff have been part of this colossal service day.
“It’s vital for us to participate in Day of Caring because we are a large employer in Utah County … It’s a great way for our employees to be engaged in the community outside of UVU,” said Alexis Palmer, the director at the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.
This is a great opportunity to help outside of school and give back to the community. It may also be an opportunity to accrue some services hours for classes that require it.
If interested in participating, call the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center to reserve a spot and free T-shirt. Call (801) 863-8786, or visit the Service Center located in the Losee Center.
