United Way Peterborough and District launched its annual Day of Caring Friday, bringing together teams from local businesses and organizations to complete hands-on improvement projects in the community.
Day of Caring is a nation-wide movement that aims to connect local volunteers with organizations that will benefit from much-needed maintenance projects.
This year’s projects include landscaping and garden revitalization, painting, outdoor clean up and other practical upgrades designed to improve community spaces and help local organizations better serve residents who rely on their programs and services.
“As important as the financial support is from these organizations, it’s really important that they also have time and person-power lent towards them to be able to complete these [projects],” said United Way’s Senior Director of Impact and Communications Betsy MacDonald. “These are items that are on their to-do list that they unfortunately haven’t been able to get to, but they really impact those served. When you think of arriving at a space where real healing and real work happens, having it look refreshed and welcoming is really important.”
Volunteers will visit seven United Way partner agencies including Big Brothers Big Sisters, the John Howard Society, YES Shelter, the YWCA, Elizabeth Fry Society, the New Canadians Centre and PARN.
“We are so glad to be able to offer Day of Caring again this year,” MacDonald said as she spoke to the team of volunteers. “You are part of thousands of volunteers that are helping to support agencies by doing projects that unfortunately might not otherwise get done.”
(Written by: Felicia Massey)
