Day of Caring connects volunteers with organizations needing help

Organizations need volunteers, and volunteers want to help, but sometimes connecting the two takes some work.

That’s where United Way’s Day of Caring comes in, the nonprofit’s largest single-day volunteer event that organizes volunteers to work at in-person or virtual projects hosted by various organizations. The volunteers include corporate, community and civic groups and individuals, while the organizations range from nonprofits to businesses, schools and faith-based organizations.

“It increases volunteerism by providing different volunteer opportunities,” said Nicole Quinn, community engagement coordinator for United Way of Weld County. “It brings a sense of purpose and accomplishment when you get involved in volunteer projects where you work, play and live.”

United Way of Weld County started hosting Day of Caring in 2021 after three years of involvement in Day of Action — the only difference between the two events is the time of year they’re held. Day of Caring is in early September and the World Wide Day of Action is in late June. 

The United Way affiliate first became involved with the volunteer days in 2016, recently moving the timeframe to coordinate with the start of the campaign year on July 1 that kicks off for the next three months.

“We get people involved and engaged in the community as we’re starting a new year in Weld County,” Quinn said. “It’s to gain motivation to go into the campaign kickoff and provide an event people can get excited about.”

Day of Caring aligns with the affiliate’s community leaders’ breakfast at the end of September and local businesses starting up their employee campaigns in August and September, Quinn said. 

This year, United Way of Weld County is holding its Day of Caring Sept. 9-10, allowing organizations to choose the best day for volunteers to give, either during the week or on Saturday. Organizations submit their projects and participate in one or both days depending on their size and capacity to host volunteers. They’re then able to increase their volunteer numbers to quickly finish a project, including things like painting, remodeling, landscaping and community gardening. 

In a typical year, the United Way affiliate works with 16 to 20 projects with close to 200 volunteers. In 2021, the affiliate listed 10 projects with 61 volunteers.

“United Way does the volunteer recruitment piece to ensure that these projects have the volunteers (they need) to help with Day of Caring,” Quinn said. “Day of Caring is super important not only for the volunteers but for the agencies to provide them with projects, open the door to talk about the work they do in the community and to spread awareness to make our community a better place to live.”

For the volunteers, they have a variety of projects they can choose from as they learn about the organizations they serve and “give back in a meaningful way,” Quinn said.

“Our other volunteer events typically are for United Way activities. This one is community wide,” Quinn said. “We have better reach, and we get to involve more organizations in the event itself.”

United Way’s regular volunteers serve on its board of directors and committees, help with event planning, do office tasks and participate in its one-day volunteer events. 

“Day of Caring typically is an event where people go ‘wow’ … learn about the task, look at the finished project and say, ‘We did that,’” Quinn said.

Mile High United Way got involved with Day of Caring in 2019 when it merged with Foothills United Way, merging resources and strategies and improving efficiencies. Mile High joined the five counties of the Denver metro area with Foothills’ coverage area that includes Boulder and Broomfield counties. Day of Caring is now one of the largest volunteer events for Boulder and Broomfield counties, and for Foothills, it’s a 29-year tradition. 

Mile High is holding its Day of Caring on Sept. 9 and so far has 18 nonprofits signed up for 30 projects — 500 volunteers are on the list to do the work.

“It’s unique and special to have one day of volunteer projects where everyone is volunteering on the same day,” said Shelby Morse, vice president of marketing for Mile High. “It’s really an opportunity for the entire community to come together and volunteer and support our community in a way that’s really helping.”

With one day dedicated to volunteerism, nonprofits have the ability to finish a project in a day by bringing in a large number of volunteers, Morse said. For the volunteers, they can learn about the resources in their community and engage in a team-building activity, especially if they come from a corporate environment, she said.

“It also allows nonprofit agencies to have a new audience,” Mores said. “They’re able to tell more people what their mission is and the resources they have available.” 

United Way of Larimer County doesn’t participate in Day of Caring and instead turned Make a Difference Day in October into a week-long celebration of volunteerism. The affiliate also participates in April’s National Volunteer Month and promotes volunteerism year round.

“Make a Difference Day and National Volunteer Month are great opportunities for volunteers to learn about local nonprofit needs and get involved,” said Kylie Hibshman, director of community engagement for United Way of Larimer County.

During Make a Difference Day — this year it’s Oct. 17-23 — volunteers can visit the affiliate’s online volunteer platform to sign up for upcoming volunteer projects, and nonprofits can connect with them to build their volunteer bases. 

“Volunteers learn more about unique community needs from affordable housing to accessible child care and how local nonprofits are working to address these needs,” Hibshman said. “Make a Difference Day and National Volunteer Month are excellent ways for local companies to get involved and give back. … Companies often use volunteer days to strengthen employee engagement, connect with the community and support local nonprofits.” 

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