Volunteers take part in United Way’s Day of Caring

In the middle of the heat and humidity, 14 volunteers were on hand Friday to assist with local projects during United Way of the Ohio Valley’s first-ever Day of Caring in Ohio County.

Day of Caring is a collaborative event that United Way organizes for local companies to do volunteer projects in the community.

“What you are doing today is much more than doing a landscaping project or a painting project. What you are doing is helping make sure that those who are providing services for those who are in great need are able to continue that work and you are saving them money to invest in the future. By saving them money they are able to reinvest that money into the lives of people who really need help,” said Doug Eberhart, executive vice president of the United Way of the Ohio Valley during a kick-off ceremony at Ohio County Park Friday morning.

“Things went extremely well,” said Blaine Mathew, manager of digital communications and

nnovation for UWOV. “Despite the COVID challenges, we were able to be outside doing projects in Ohio County.”

The event in Ohio County was sponsored by Toyotetsu Mid-America and included volunteers from Perdue, Ohio County Healthcare, and US Bank who helped with landscaping and painting projects at the Ohio County Senior Center and the Ohio County Healthcare campus throughout the day Friday.

While this was just the first year for the event in the county, Mathew said the annual event in Daviess County allowed them to figure out how things worked and gave them the opportunity to expand into other counties as well.

The United Way of the Ohio Valley serves Daviess, Hancock, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster counties. Within those counties are nearly 100 agencies that rely on them for funds and assistance.

“The goal of the Day of Caring is right in line with our mission to unite communities to deliver solutions that improve the lives of individuals and families,” Mathew said.

CeCe Robinson, UWOV regional board member and 2021-22 Ohio County campaign chair, said Day of Caring is a huge benefit for the community as it allows United Way to take collective resources of community partners and use them for the good of the community and the region.

“Day of Caring really is the epitome of the spirit of Ohio County to help when there is a need,” Robinson said. “Helping when there is a need is the true spirit of Ohio County and Day of Caring is just that.”

Seeing the event as a success, UWOV definitely sees Day of Caring becoming an annual event in the county. Mathew looks to get more people involved in order to provide a lasting impact in the community.