Volunteers sought for Day of Caring on May 19

Photo by Tom Rivers: At last year’s Day of Caring on April 22, Britney Ruiz, left, and Cheryl Vangorden, employees at Baxter Healthcare in Medina, help sort clothes at Project Stork in Barre, assisting the agency with a big outdoor sale.

United Way of Orleans County is seeking volunteers to help non-profits with various small tasks for the annual Day of Caring. This year it is set for May 19.

United Way director Matt Holland is seeking volunteers who can do such jobs as paint, landscaping chores (planting flowers, pulling weeds), rake, canal cleanup, window washing, minor cleaning projects or general office work.

Last year, about 100 volunteers did chores such as tending the memorial garden at Hospice, painting a shed and sorting donated food for a local pantry. They helped 13 organizations and businesses with minor projects.

Holland said he has already had requests from several non-profits for jobs they would like done and from several volunteers who are looking for a way to help.

On May 19, volunteers are asked to arrive at the pavilion at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds by 8 a.m. for a light breakfast. After a brief orientation, they will head off to their assigned duties by 9 a.m. For those who cannot leave work on Friday, but would like to participate, there are limited opportunities to volunteer on Saturday morning.

Day of Caring is a nation-wide project of United Ways, and the Orleans County unit has been sponsoring the event for more than 10 years.

Anyone who wishes to volunteer or any non-profit needing help with a project may contact Holland at (585) 205-0541 or by e-mailing director@orleansunitedway.org.