Granite United Way will host its annual Day of Caring events this September, with several in Greater Concord, and guess what? The Insider will be out there pitching in with the rest of the volunteers this year.
That’s right, we’re jumping in to get behind the annual effort, which will be Sept. 10 in Concord and Merrimack Valley. Granite United Way works with community members and the corporate community to support the work of many nonprofit agencies throughout the state. During these day-long activities, participating nonprofit organizations are matched with volunteers from local business and community groups. The day also serves as the kickoff to the annual United Way workplace campaigns. (And features a tasty luncheon at White Park.)
Granite United Way is striving to increase the number of participants and projects involved this year. Last year, more than 1,330 volunteers completed 180 projects for local nonprofits.
Day of Caring events across the state include: Sept. 8 in the Upper Valley; Sept. 10 in Merrimack County (Concord and surrounding area), the southern region (Manchester/Salem/Derry) and the northern region (Berlin area); Sept. 12 in the North Country/Littleton area; and Sept. 19 in the central region (Plymouth and the Lakes Region).
Nonprofit organizations that are in need of a helping hand are encouraged to register their projects by emailing Val Guy at val.guy@graniteuw.org. Project ideas include painting, washing windows, repairing fences, landscaping/yard clean-up and general repairs. And here’s where you come in: Volunteers are needed to complete requested projects. Teams can range in size from one to 10.
Each team member will receive an exclusive Day of Caring T-shirt. Contact Val Guy at 224-2595, ext. 226, or email her at val.guy@graniteuw.org to sign up. Shifts are available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1 to 4 p.m. or all day (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Day of Caring will take place rain or shine, as most projects can still be completed regardless of weather conditions.
It’s pretty easy to get involved right in your own backyard (well, not your actual backyard – you can’t have a fleet of volunteers come mow your lawn). Here are some of the opportunities in Concord for the Sept. 10 Day of Caring:
∎ Recycled Cycles
38 Locke Road, Suite 2. Clean bicycles to prepare them for sale, and, if time allows and you have the knack for it, take apart and sort bicycle parts. Or walk around town hanging up posters and spreading the word.
∎ Capitol Center for the Arts
44 S. Main St. Bring work gloves, painting supplies if you have any. Volunteers should wear clothing that can get ruined. No open shoes please.
∎ Fall preparations
30 Thompson St. Clean up the yard, toys, etc. Potential painting. Cleaning and organizing of the building.
∎ Gardening Angels at Concord Regional VNA Hospice House
30 Pillsbury St. Gardening and planting mums at Concord Regional VNA Hospice House Garden. Garden supplies are provided, if volunteers would like garden gloves they should bring a pair with them.
∎ Merrimack Valley Day Care Service
19 N. Fruit St. Child care services providing care to children 3 months to 12 years of age. Reading to children, playing in infant play area, weather permitting they will play outside on playground with preschool age children.
∎ Painting studio ceiling & cleaning fitness mats at the YMCA,
15 N. State St. Contact Stephanie Feist before coming Sept. 10 at sfeist@concordymca.org. Painting, deep clean all mats/exercise balls, etc.
