Nearly 1200 Volunteers Participate in United Way of Pierce County Day of Caring

Tacoma, Wash. – United Way of Pierce County rallied a record number of volunteers at the 2005 Day of Caring volunteer event, Friday September 16 th. Nearly 1200 community volunteers spent the day completing 61 service projects for nonprofits throughout Pierce County for a 'Day of Caring'.

The record turn out included a team of 400 students, staff and faculty from the Tacoma School of the Arts as well as teams from more than 40 companies throughout the community.

Before heading out to projects, the volunteers took part in the official Day of Caring kickoff event at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. Master Gardener and Pierce County native Ed Hume spoke to the crowd about gardening in the northwest and applauded the volunteers for their efforts. In addition, 2005 Board Chair and Director of Global Risk Management for Russell Investment Group, Linda Gutmann and United Way of Pierce County board member and Communications Manager for Intel, Rick Meeder also spoke.

The Day of Caring event allows volunteers to partner with local organizations to build a stronger community. By volunteering for Day of Caring, community members learn more about agency programs and how volunteering can make a positive impact on the problems affecting our community. Volunteer hours accumulated throughout the year contribute to United Way’s community campaign. In 2004, the campaign raised more than $10 million. The goal for 2005 is $11 million.

A Day of Caring project might include painting a building, helping serve meals at a food bank, assisting with landscaping needs, and sprucing up a facility.

For more information, contact United Way of Pierce County at 253-272-4263.

This event was sponsored by Columbia Bank, Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Costco, Fisher Fair Scones, Pepsi, Starbucks and the Puyallup Fair.