COLUMBUS, Ind. — About 300 volunteers donated time and talent Friday via 40 projects at 22 organizations during the United Way of Bartholomew County’s Annual Day of Service.
Rain hampered some of the outdoor work in the morning.
A few weeks ago, United Way President Mark Stewart had mentioned that nonprofits nationwide are seeing a dip in the number of volunteers for a range of work and activities.
But the local organization’s leadership said that the day’s involvement was a solid sign of a caring community.
“Three hundred volunteers is a wonderful number,” said Magen Pillar, communications and marketing director for United Way. “Whenever that we have a day like this, it’s always inspiring to see hundreds of people coming together to help others.”
Pillar added that the volunteers are doing work that most nonprofits cannot currently afford to fund from already tight budgets.
“These volunteers are doing the work that these organizations and agencies cannot do,” she said.
The yearly activity is part of United Way’s kickoff of its fundraising campaign to support area nonprofits that touch the lives of more than a third of Bartholomew County residents, according to figures. Those nonprofits lead mentoring programs for youth, sponsor recreational sports leagues, help older residents with exercise programs, provide struggling families with everything from clothing to furniture, equip weary parents with child care classes, and train the underemployed for their next-level job.
Last year’s campaign raised $4.1 million.
Organizers say that the Day of Service allows United Way agencies and others to be even better stewards of their budgets while also building stronger relationships with a wider gathering of supporters.
