Bowling Green, Kentucky (July 27, 2011) – Wednesday, July 27, 2011,marks United Way of Southern Kentucky’s third annual Day of Caring. On this day, 931 volunteers representing 79 companies across Allen, Barren, Logan, Simpson, and Warren Counties joined local non-profit organizations to complete a total of 114 projects. The number of volunteers and projects completed increased significantly from the 2010 Day of Caring when 471 volunteers completed 62 projects.
This year’s Day of Caring offered a unique opportunity for non-profit organizations to market their services to the community, establish relationships with local businesses, and strengthen the volunteers' awareness of each organization’s mission. The Day of Caring also provided a way for businesses and organizations to build camaraderie and goodwill among employees while helping the community. 79 companies made a commitment to offer its employees the opportunity to "step away from their desks" to provide hands-on, volunteer labor for the variety of projects, representing a 25 company increase from the 2010 Day of Caring.Projects were accomplished in full and half day increments.
Over the last few months, volunteer teams participating in the Day of Caring selected their projects based on the information provided, i.e. length of project and estimated number of volunteers. Projects were available for volunteer registration in all counties at www.unitedwaydayofcaring.com on a first come, first serve basis.
The following projects were completed by the following volunteer groups:
Allen County: 23 projects completed by 114 volunteers representing 20 companies (an increase of 10 projects, 36 volunteers, and 8 companies over the 2010 Day of Caring):
Allen County Back to School Bash: J.M. Smucker Company
Including:
Dental Screens for kids: Hilltop Dental
Bike Helmets for kids: Junior Achievement
Free hair cuts for kids: Curl Up and Dye
Backpack Wearing Techniques for kids: Spine Stop
Free book distribution for kids: Invest in Success
Service Information Distribution: YMCA
Inflatables: The Lyric on Main
Family Disaster Preparedness Information: Health Department
Vision screenings for kids: Health Department
Drinks provided by: IDA/CDA
School Supplies Drive for the Back to School Bash: Best Business Systems
School Supplies Drive for the Back to School Bash: Edmonton State Bank
School Supplies Drive for the Back to School Bash: South Central Bank
School Supplies Drive for the Back to School Bash: U.S. Bank
School Supplies Drive for the Back to School Bash: Farmer’s National Bank
School Supplies Drive for the Back to School Bash: Canteen Vending Services
School Supplies Drive for the Back to School Bash: Sumitomo Electric
School Supplies Drive for the Back to School Bash: North Central Telephone
Ice Cream Social for Residents at Cal Turner Extended Care: J.M. Smucker Company
Tips for Getting and Keeping a Job at Haven4Change: Allen County Library
Jaycee’s Clean Up at the Fred Hale Ball Park: Allen County Drug Court
Staining a Privacy Fence at Haven4Change: Allen County Drug Court
Special thanks to the Allen County Day of Caring Chairperson: Dana Russell of J.M. Smucker Company
Barren County: 11 projects completed by 58 volunteers representing 7 companies (an increase of 3 projects, 12 volunteers, and 5 companies over 2010) :
Glasgow Boys and Girls Club deep cleaning classrooms and kitchen: RR Donnelley
Glasgow Boys and Girls Club landscaping, trimming bushes, and pulling weeds: RR Donnelley
Glasgow Boys and Girls Club repairing and adding locks to file storage cabinets: RR Donnelley
Personal Care Items Drive and Items Delivered: U.S. Bank
Personal Care Items Drive and Items Delivered: Monticello Bank
Backpack and School Supplies Drive and Items Delivered: Federal Mogul
Paint picnic tables for the Glasgow Recreation Department: Spectrum Care
Plant Flowers and Shrubs for the Glasgow Recreation Department: Spectrum Care
Organize Food Pantry and General Office Help for BRASS: BB&T – Glasgow
Additional Projects at the Boys and Girls Club of Glasgow: TJ Samson
Parks Projects: Individual Groups
Special thanks to the Barren County Day of Caring Chairperson: John Lawson of Citizens First Bank
Logan County: 11 projects completed by 68 volunteers representing 11 companies (an increase of 8 projects, 37 volunteers, and 2 companies over 2010):
Painting at Russellville Recreation Center: BB&T - Russellville
Playground mulching at Logan Memorial Park: Holland CPAs, Logan County Chamber of Commerce, Auburn Banking, and U.S. Bank
Painting at the Park at Logan Memorial Park: Ventra Plastics
Book Drive for Graduation for Adults for Logan County Adult Education: Holland CPAs
Book Drive for Graduation for Adults for Logan County Adult Education: Logan County Chamber of Commerce
Book Drive for Graduation for Adults for Logan County Adult Education: LEAD
Book Drive for Graduation for Adults for Logan County Adult Education: First Southern National Bank
Book Drive for Children for Logan County Adult Education: Chandler Elementary/ Middle School Teachers and Staff
Toilet Paper Drive for Logan County Good Samaritan: Logan Memorial Hospital
Stain Shelter/ Picnic Area at Lifeskills: BB&T – Russellville
Bathroom Update and Painting Project for Community Action Head Start: Jesus Community Center
Simpson County: 5 projects completed by 77 volunteers representing 4 companies (In 2010, 7 projects were completed by 27 volunteers representing 3 companies in Simpson County):
Non-Food Essentials Drive: Franklin Bank & Trust
Goodnight House Scrape and Paint Project: Allen-Simpson Drug Court
Landscaping at Girls Softball Field: FFA Chapter of Franklin-Simpson High School
Building Storage Shelving for Franklin Simpson Good Samaritan: Wood donated by Woodstock Mills; Franklin Simpson Good Samaritan will supply volunteer work
Window Washing at Simpson County Literacy Council: Individuals
Special thanks to the Simpson County Day of Caring Chairperson: Steve Thurmond of the Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce
Warren County: 64 projects completed by 614 volunteers representing 37 companies (an increase of 33 projects, 360 volunteers, and 9 companies from 2010) :
The following projects are occurring on the Day of Caring:
Clean Up Day at Wee Care Nursery: Bowling Green Hot Rods (office staff)
Clean Up Day at Family Enrichment Center: BB&T – Bowling Green
Senior Celebration for the Housing Authority of Bowling Green Senior Program: Smiths Grove United Methodist Church
Cleaning/ organizing/mulching at The Salvation Army: Stoody Company
Yard Work at Kids on the Block: Warren County Water District
PLARN Sleeping Mats for the Homeless for Community Action RSVP: Citizens First Bank and WKU Athletics
Conference Room Makeover for Junior Achievement: Valspar
Building Flower Boxes for Senior Residents at Greenwood Nursing and Rehab: Camping World
Save the Supplies – Labeling and Sorting at Hope Harbor: Warren County Public Schools Central Office
Ramp Building at Bowling Green Boys and Girls Club: Houchens Industries
Mural Painting at Bellewood Presbyterian Home for Children: Warren County Public Schools Central Office
Sprucing Up the Outside at Kentucky Legal Aid: BGMU
Backpacks of Goodies managed by WKU Student Activities: WKU Faculty and Staff
Landscaping at Haven4Change: Village Manor/ Christian Care Communities
Sanding and Painting Gate Panels at New Beginnings Therapeutic Riding: Camping World, Chase Bank, American Heart Association, BB&T – Bowling Green, WKU Faculty and Staff, and Graves Gilbert Clinic
Garden Beautification at the Hobson House: South Central Bank
Perk Up BRIMS: Warren County Public Schools, Camping World, U.S. Bank, Briarwood Homemakers
Catch-Up Day at the Houchens Center: WKU Athletics
Fun at the Park at the Romanza Johnson Park: Kidstuffaroundtown.com, WKU Faculty and Staff
Help the Wall at the Houchens Center: WKU Athletics
Adding Warmth to a New Welcome Center (exterior): U.S. Bank
Adding Warmth to a New Welcome Center (interior): U.S. Bank
Helping Shed Light on the Lighthouse for Warren County Public Schools: U.S. Bank and Bell, Orr, Ayres, and Moore
Playground Improvement at Cumberland Trace Elementary: Connected Nation
Lending a Helping Hand at Hospice: General Motors – Corvette Assembly
Making a Barrel Composter at Cumberland Trace Elementary: Connected Nation
ALIVE Space Improvements at the WKU ALIVE Center: Valspar
Sara’s Garden Restoration at BRASS: Camping World
Assemble Cornhole Games for Autism for WKU’s Kelly Autism Program: Greenview Regional Hospital
Socks and Undie Sunday (…or Wednesday!) for Warren County Public Schools Family Resource Centers: Fruit of the Loom
Dial, Dove, Deodorant and Detergent Drive for Warren County Public Schools Family Resource Centers: Franklin Bank & Trust
Organize Storage Room for Newborns in Need: South Central Bank
Assemble Newborn Care Kits for Newborns in Need: BGMU
Operation Shelve Elves for the CHC Hospitality House: The Wise Guys (Rockfield Methodist Church)
“Gone to the Dogs” Day of K9 Affection at the Warren County Humane Society: Camping World, U.S. Bank, Holland CPAs
Upgrading the Safety, Security, and Efficiency of Local Nonprofits: HeathCo LLC
Paint the Cottage for Friends of Riverview: WKU Athletics
Piece by Piece – Putting the Puzzle Together for Autism for WKU’s Kelly Autism Program: Community Action of Southern Kentucky
Creating a Resource Room for Greenwood High School: Canteen and U.S. Bank
In Service Presentation for Foster Grandparents: BRASS (Barren River Area Safe Space)
School Supplies Drives for Backpacks of Goodies: WKU Office of the Registrar
School Supplies Drives for Backpacks of Goodies: WKU College of Education
School Supplies Drives for Backpacks of Goodies: WKU Purchasing Department
School Supplies Drives for Backpacks of Goodies: WKU Campus and Community Events
Blue Jean Collections for the Agriculture Extension Office: Christian Family Radio
Blue Jean Collections for the Agriculture Extension Office: Stoody Company
Blue Jean Collections for the Agriculture Extension Office: WKU Office of the Registrar
Blue Jean Collections for the Agriculture Extension Office: WKU College of Education
Blue Jean Collections for the Agriculture Extension Office: WKU Purchasing Department
Blue Jean Collections for the Agriculture Extension Office: WKU Campus and Community Events
Help a Senior – Personal Hygiene Items Drive for the Housing Authority of Bowling Green Senior Program: WKU Office of the Registrar
Help a Senior – Personal Hygiene Items Drive for the Housing Authority of Bowling Green Senior Program: WKU College of Education
Help a Senior – Personal Hygiene Items Drive for the Housing Authority of Bowling Green Senior Program: WKU Purchasing Deparment
Help a Senior – Personal Hygiene Items Drive for the Housing Authority of Bowling Green Senior Program: WKU Campus and Community Events
Help a Senior – Personal Hygiene Items Drive for the Housing Authority of Bowling Green Senior Program: WKU College of Business
Help a Senior – Personal Hygiene Items Drive for the Housing Authority of Bowling Green Senior Program: Camping World
Help a Senior – Volunteer Project for the Housing Authority of Bowling Green Senior Program: WKU Campus and Community Events
Help a Senior – Volunteer Project for the Housing Authority of Bowling Green Senior Program: Camping World
**Anonymous project and volunteer group
**Anonymous project and volunteer group
The following projects will be occurring or have already occurred as part of the Day of Caring on a different date:
Hot Rods Day at Wee Care Nursery: Bowling Green Hot Rods (team players)
Safety City Clean Up at Safety City: BB&T – Bowling Green
The Suess is Loose: Making Reading Fun and Contagious for Warren County Public Schools ESL Summer Fun Camp: Christian Family Radio and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words (Especially When Those Words Aren’t English for ESL students at Warren County Public Schools: Valspar
Special thanks to the Warren County Day of Caring Chairperson: Jason Rose of U.S. Bank.
Special thanks to Warren County Day of Caring Committee Members: Theresa Lawrence (General Motors – Corvette Assembly), Bill Waltrip (City Commission and Leadership Strategies), Melissa Hardin (WCWD), Barry Williams (Commonwealth Broadcasting), Grace Lichtenstein (Grace and Success), Romanza Johnson (Community Volunteer), Karen Foley (City of Bowling Green), Phillip Coleman (WKU), Kristin Zemke (Bowling Green Hot Rods), Scott Thornhill (BB&T), Jessie Goodrich (Kidstuffaroundtown.com), Michael Montgomery (Adaptive Enterprises), Melinda Logic (Greenwood High School), and Kathleen Duvall (BGMU).
New this year to the Day of Caring, two separate events will be hosted by Western Kentucky University and the Bowling Green Hot Rods to celebrate the United Way of Southern Kentucky’s Third Annual Day of Caring. Each event will pay special tribute to volunteers and educate those not familiar with the Day of Caring on how they can participate in the future.
Western Kentucky University kicked things off Wednesday, July 27th on the WKU South Lawn from 4:30pm-5:30pm. Festivities at this free event open to the public including music, food, prizes, special guests, volunteer awards, and kid’s activities.
At the Day of Caring Celebration on WKU’s South Lawn, awards were given for the first time to Day of Caring volunteers and project providers as follows:
Project Provider Awards:
Most Impactful Project (to the community as a whole): Senior Celebration provided by the Housing Authority of Bowing Green Senior Program
Most Creative Project: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words (Especially When Those Words Aren’t English) provided by Warren County Public Schools
Volunteer Awards:
Largest Volunteer Group (in 1 county): WKU Athletics (more than 130 volunteers)
Largest Volunteer Group (across multiple counties): U.S. Bank (more than 65 volunteers)
Best Day of Caring Project - Allen County: Jaycee’s Clean Up at Fred Hale Ballpark by Allen County Drug Court volunteer group
Best Day of Caring Project - Barren County: Glasgow Boys and Girls Club cleaning, landscaping, and repairing locks by RR Donnelley volunteer group
Best Day of Caring Project - Logan County: Painting at the Park at Logan Memorial Park by Ventra Plastics volunteer group
Best Day of Caring Project - Simpson County: Landscaping at Girl’s Softball Field by FFA Chapter of Franklin-Simpson High School volunteer group
Best Day of Caring Project - Warren County: Adding Warmth to a New Welcome Center for Warren County Public Schools by U.S. Bank volunteer group
Best Day of Caring Project - Overall: J.M. Smucker’s Back to School Bash in Allen County
Awards were also given as judged at the event to the Lone Wolf and the Dirtiest Day of Caring
t-shirt.
Second, the Bowling Green Hot Rods will help celebrate United Way of Southern Kentucky’s 2011-12 Pacesetter Campaign and Third Annual Day of Caring on August 4th with “LIVE UNITED Night at the Ballpark” when they host the Fort Wayne Tincaps. The event will pay special tribute to volunteers and educate those not familiar with the Day of Caring on how they can participate in the future. In addition the event will encourage and recognize companies who have chosen to run before the traditional United Way campaign to ‘set the pace’ for the rest of the 2011-12 United Way campaign season.
Day of Caring volunteers will receive game tickets for $5.00 when purchased through United Way by July 27th. Non- Day of Caring volunteers can purchase tickets for $10 and will receive a LIVE UNITED t-shirt. Day of Caring volunteers and those representing Pacesetter companies will receive on-field recognition. They will also be eligible for other opportunities throughout the evening along with anyone wearing a LIVE UNITED t-shirt. The first 1,000 children to arrive at the ballpark will receive a free book, and a United Way service recipient, Amber Henderson, will sing the pre-game National Anthem.
Local Bowling Green business, HeathCo LLC, has donated over $5,000 in products to be given away throughout LIVE UNITED night at the Bowling Green Hot Rods baseball game on Thursday, August 4th. The 'Grand Slam' prize is a ENERGY STAR lighting product kit for completing a total home outdoor lighting makeover. Other prizes include:
Single - a free doorbell push button to every Hot Rods attendee, which includes a coupon to Bowling Green's local Ace Hardware.
Double - Two (2) winners receive an energy saving motion-activated light switch. Open exclusively to LIVE UNITED ticket holders.
Triple - Three (3) winners receive an ENERGY STAR motion-activated security light. Open exclusively to LIVE UNITED ticket holders.
Home Run - One (1) lucky winner receives a free LED solar-powered motion-activated security light. Open exclusively to LIVE UNITED ticket holders.
Volunteers who would like to participate in the “LIVE UNITED Night at the Ballpark” are asked to print off their order form at www.unitedwaydayofcaring.com . More information can be obtained by contacting Hot Rods Coordinator Kristin Zemke at 270-901-2121 ext. 104 or by e-mail at kzemke@bghotrods.com.
WBKO assisted with Day of Caring again this year with broadcasts each Wednesday in the weeks of July leading up to the event. The broadcasts highlighted non-profits and philanthropic efforts in those communities as well as Day of Caring projects. WBKO also hosted a live remote broadcast at the Day of Caring Celebration on WKU’s South Lawn.
The vision:
A Day of Caring is a volunteer opportunity like no other. On July 27, 2011, volunteers from local businesses and organizations will have the opportunity to prove once again that they care about our community by reporting to work sites at local nonprofit organizations and public schools to tackle meaningful volunteer projects.
Projects/tasks include everything from painting classrooms to making sleeping mats for the homeless. It's a win-win for everyone. Volunteers have the opportunity to experience the joy of doing something for others and area non-profit agencies receive invaluable volunteer assistance to complete projects that might otherwise not get done.
It’s team-building, project planning, community awareness. It's laughter and memories made at a Back to School Bash, a thousand adventures explored in a rejuvenated playground.
The impact is immediate, but the experience will last a lifetime.
United Way of Southern Kentucky (UWSK) is a local, independent, non-profit organization that works to identify and address the issues that matter most, change conditions and improve lives in our community. United Way is focused on critical issues including poverty, literacy, personal abuse, substance abuse, youth development, senior services, and physical and developmental disabilities. Incorporated as a charitable non-profit entity in 1956, UWSK has long served a major role in the community by bringing people together to create opportunities that make a measurable difference in the quality of life for people where they live and work. The mission of United Way of Southern Kentucky is to be the leader in bringing together the resources to build a stronger, more caring community.