Mike Wolanin | The Republic Volunteers Josh Raper, from left, Terry Hovis and Benjamin Joseph, of Cummins, paint the wooden beams above the entrance to Human Services Inc., for the United Way Day of Service in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 8, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Volunteers Josh Raper, from left, Terry Hovis and Benjamin Joseph, of Cummins, paint the wooden beams above the entrance to Human Services Inc., for the United Way Day of Service in Columbus Sept. 8, 2023.
United Way of Bartholomew County’s annual Day of Service and fundraising campaign kickoff luncheon will be Sept. 12.
Amazing Joe’s restaurant at 2607 Central Ave. in Columbus will host the luncheon, featuring a menu of pork chops, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, and a cookie.
Tickets are available for $20 at uwbarthco.org and by clicking on “kickoff lunch.” Diners can choose between an 11 a.m. or noon seating. Those wishing to attend the lunch are encouraged to buy tickets soon since organizers normally have sold out at past kickoffs.
Day of Service, which began in 2013, is a full-day volunteer event that connects local volunteers with nonprofit agencies and organizations to complete needed work, from landscaping to office help to ramp building and more.
The efforts are especially important since United Way leaders have long emphasized that volunteer hours translate to dollars saved for nonprofits’ limited budgets.
Volunteers can register beginning Aug. 28 by visiting uwbarthco.org and clicking on “volunteer.”
Everyone who attends the lunch will be entered into a drawing to win a year of free dinners from Amazing Joe’s. All proceeds from the lunch will support United Way of Bartholomew County’s campaign.
The fundraising campaign, which has led the state among United Ways for years in per capita giving for more than a decade, and also is ranked in the same category near the nation’s top campaigns, supports the certified United Way agencies that reach approximately one-third of Bartholomew County residents.
The 2023-‘34 campaign raised $4.3 million dollars.
Organizers say the Day of Service date “promises to be an inspiring day as we unite to celebrate the significant impact we have on one another and our community,” said Magen Pillar, United Way’s director of communications.
United Way is continuing its initiative to lift 1,000 families out of poverty in 2,000 days — a timeline that began last summer.
“This mission requires the efforts of everyone in the community — from advocates and volunteers to donors and our certified and mission partner agencies,” Pillar said.
