Hundreds of volunteers signed up for United Way’s Day of Caring

CEDAR RAPIDS - Hundreds of volunteers wearing green T-shirts are expected to dot the landscape of Cedar Rapids on Thursday as the United Way of East Central Iowa hosts its annual Day of Caring.

'This is our 24th year doing this,” said Sue Driscoll, manager of volunteer engagement for the United Way of East Central Iowa. 'This year, more than 1,260 volunteers are expected. You'll see a lot of green shirts out there.”

Day of Caring takes place each May and is one of the largest organized volunteer events in Cedar Rapids. Local businesses encourage their employees to volunteer at nonprofit agencies and schools throughout the community. Volunteer teams of all sizes tackle meaningful projects to address community and agency needs.

'There are 105 different projects throughout the community and there are 39 organizations benefiting from the work,” said Driscoll, adding employees from 51 companies - including Rockwell Collins, Transamerica, ImOn Communications and Alliant Energy, among many others - have signed up to take part.

'We have a variety of projects - everything from yard work to outdoor spring cleaning, a whole slew at Camp Wapsi and Camp Courageous preparing for kids for the summer, some indoor painting, helping Habitat for Humanity with home repair, and a lot of garden work,” said Driscoll. 'Typically, because it's spring, the companies and volunteers want to be outdoors.”

Last year's effort drew 1,275 volunteers who worked a combined 7,076 hours to complete 103 projects at 45 agencies. The work they did was valued at more than $166,000, according to the United Way of East Central Iowa. Among the project highlights were the following:

' Helped 1,700 children improve literacy skills.

' Planted 500 trees to provide shade to kids at local camps.

' Completed repairs and revitalization to 13 homes.

' Built three accessibility ramps for senior citizens.

' Prepared and delivered 150 pounds of food to clients.

' Planted 14,000 onions for use in meals delivered to homebound seniors.

' Prepped and planted gardens to provide fresh produce for low-income families.

' Designed and decorated Lego room for young clients and their families.

' Taught resume writing and interview skills to clients living in a local shelter.

' Provided building repair and beautification for 18 nonprofits to improve the facilities where clients are served.

' Collected and distributed more than 9,000 diapers and 125 packages of baby wipes.

As part of the 2017 Day of Caring, the United Way's Young Leaders Society is hosting a Community-Wide Book Drive to help collect and distribute books to low-income children in the community. Those with children's books to donate can drop them off at the United Way of East Central Iowa office at 317 Seventh Ave. SE, Suite 401, Cedar Rapids or visit uweci.org/bookdrive to schedule a time for a member of the Young Leaders Society to pick up the books.