Day Of Caring Shifts On Calendar
September 26, 2018
United Way Moving Event To September
By LAINE GRIFFIN
Daily News-Record 9/26/18
HARRISONBURG — The United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County announced Tuesday that its annual Day of Caring will no longer be held in May and will instead take place every September.
Executive Director Laura Toni- Holsinger said it’s an idea the local nonprofit had considered for a while.
Toni-Holsinger said she had been putting out “teasers” about the announcement the last few days, but didn’t make it public until Tuesday when she released the news on local radio and on the charitable organization’s website and social media.
The next Day of Caring will take place Sept. 25.
The annual event, which has been taking place at least since the 1990s, starts with a Community Impact Celebration, where local businesses and volunteers are recognized with awards for their support throughout the year, according to the local United Way’s website. Afterward, volunteers complete different projects throughout the community to help local nonprofits.
“It felt more natural to have the annual Day of Caring in September rather than May so that students specifically can get involved early on in their year,” Toni- Holsinger said. “This change will also allow them more chances to get involved later on in the year.”
When the event was in May, she said, high school and college students were rarely able to get involved due to finals and graduation. The change will give them a chance to participate.
“United Way has worked over the last five years to continue the momentum for community members to get involved in what they are passionate about,” she said.
The annual event will coincide with United Way’s annual Community Impact Campaign, which kicks off every September.
Amanda Leech, director of business engagement, said United Way aims to raise $ 1.5 million during this year’s campaign, which would be close to the record high of about $ 1.51 million from the 2016 campaign.
Last year, the total raised was about $1.4 million, according to Toni-Holsinger.
Throughout the year, the local United Way helps support more than two dozen partner nonprofits with fundraising and volunteer efforts.
Josh Hale of Harrisonburg plants a vegetable garden behind Mercy House in May as part of the volunteering effort for this year’s United Way Day of Caring.
By LAINE GRIFFIN
Daily News-Record 9/26/18
HARRISONBURG — The United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County announced Tuesday that its annual Day of Caring will no longer be held in May and will instead take place every September.
Executive Director Laura Toni- Holsinger said it’s an idea the local nonprofit had considered for a while.
Toni-Holsinger said she had been putting out “teasers” about the announcement the last few days, but didn’t make it public until Tuesday when she released the news on local radio and on the charitable organization’s website and social media.
The next Day of Caring will take place Sept. 25.
The annual event, which has been taking place at least since the 1990s, starts with a Community Impact Celebration, where local businesses and volunteers are recognized with awards for their support throughout the year, according to the local United Way’s website. Afterward, volunteers complete different projects throughout the community to help local nonprofits.
“It felt more natural to have the annual Day of Caring in September rather than May so that students specifically can get involved early on in their year,” Toni- Holsinger said. “This change will also allow them more chances to get involved later on in the year.”
When the event was in May, she said, high school and college students were rarely able to get involved due to finals and graduation. The change will give them a chance to participate.
“United Way has worked over the last five years to continue the momentum for community members to get involved in what they are passionate about,” she said.
The annual event will coincide with United Way’s annual Community Impact Campaign, which kicks off every September.
Amanda Leech, director of business engagement, said United Way aims to raise $ 1.5 million during this year’s campaign, which would be close to the record high of about $ 1.51 million from the 2016 campaign.
Last year, the total raised was about $1.4 million, according to Toni-Holsinger.
Throughout the year, the local United Way helps support more than two dozen partner nonprofits with fundraising and volunteer efforts.
Josh Hale of Harrisonburg plants a vegetable garden behind Mercy House in May as part of the volunteering effort for this year’s United Way Day of Caring.
