Day of Caring Slated for September 17, Projects Needed

Greater Ottawa County United Way has set Thursday September 17 as the date for the annual, county-wide Day of Caring; and Shannon Morton, United Way Director of Volunteerism, is seeking projects in need of volunteers and volunteers eager to complete projects on that day.

United Way’s Day of Caring has been a tradition for nine years in Ottawa County. On this one day, hundreds of volunteers take to the streets to complete projects at agencies, homes, schools, and local landmarks. On Day of Caring 2008, more than 900 volunteers from local businesses, schools, and organizations completed 70 projects across the county.

 Examples of past projects  include helping senior citizens and people with disabilities with yard and home maintenance, reading to children, organizing a food pantry, brightening up a nonprofit organization’s offices with a fresh coat of paint, or building a community playground. While some projects can take most of the day, many can be completed in a half day, either morning or afternoon,

 Morton encourages any citizen or organization with a project that needs to be done to contact her at (616) 610-1338 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it as soon as possible. Projects can range in size from something that five people can do to something that 20 people can complete in from four to eight hours.

Said Morton, “No project is too big or too small. Without projects, work can’t be done; and without our incredible volunteers, lives aren’t able to be changed for the better.” Companies and organizations who would like to volunteer a team for Day of Caring are also encouraged to contact Morton soon.

Volunteers are rewarded with a barbeque lunch, donated and served by A.D. Bos Vending Services, Inc., of Holland, at Yogi Bear Camp & Resort on US-31 just south of M45. In addition to A.D. Bos, generous donations from Sara Lee Corporation and Yogi Bear Camp and Resort help to provide this festive community event.

September 17 also marks the official kick-off for Greater Ottawa County United Way’s Annual Community Campaign, which this year has been titled “Campaign 09/10: “The Building Blocks of a Better Life.”       For more information on how to give, advocate, or volunteer to advance the common good in Ottawa County, visit www.ottawaunitedway.org.