Sep 8, 2008 4 min read

Wednesday has been selected by United Way of South Fayette, Inc. as its Day of Caring to kick off its 2008 campaign of service to area communities. “We’re expecting close to six businesses to support the United Way by having their employees perform physical labor for the partner agencies we work with,” said Sue Quinn, campaign associate. “They include Centra Bank, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Target, Eat ‘N Park, Fayette Manor and the United Parcel Service.”

The latter organization already jump started the campaign on Aug. 19 when three workers from the Smock facility used a company truck to move the contents of the East End United Community Center to its new location on Coolspring Street in Uniontown.

Other volunteer businesses will participate in painting projects for the YMCA in Uniontown and Domestic Violence Services of Fayette County, in a brush and tree removal project at a City Parks and Recreation playground and a sanding and painting project at the Tech Center in Brownsville.

Pittsburgh Paint and Glass has provided the paint for this year’s projects, and the United Way is currently talking with the Home Depot and Lowe’s about providing supplies and materials for future Days of Caring.

“Although Sept. 10 is the day selected to work on the projects, we’ll also engage in other undertakings throughout the year,” said Quinn.

This year’s Day of Caring will start at 8 a.m. and continue to 4 p.m. or until the projects are completed. The volunteer businesses will pay the salaries and wages of the employees for the time they spend working at the various social agencies. While most businesses will have between six and eight employees engaged in various Day of Caring projects, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is expected to have as many as 15 employees participate in the annual event.

Planning for this year’s Day of Caring started in June, when United Way South Fayette sent letters to its 14 partner agencies outlining the procedures for applying for a proposed project. In turn, the agencies wrote back by the end of July detailing their projects, the number of people estimated to complete them and whether they would be able to supply the necessary materials.

Before approving the projects, United Way personnel visited each of the sites to determine whether or not it had the resources to bring them to completion.

In addition to the Day of Caring, United Way South Fayette will hold a small Donor Appreciation reception at Fayette County Community Action starting at 4:30 p.m on Tuesday.

The 11-member United Way board, members of the partner agencies, volunteer businesses and individual supporters are expected to attend the event in which plaques will be presented as a token of appreciation to area business and individual donors.

“The United Way is unique in that it is the only non-profit organization that offers donors a chance to provide financial support through payroll deductions in the workplace,” said Quinn. “Instead of helping just one agency, donors can help all 14 of our partner agencies or they can earmark their contributions to as many or as few of the agencies as they want.”

This year, United Way South Fayette is hoping to raise over $100,000 through payroll deductions, corporate gifts and individual donors. Even though Sept. 10’s Day of Caring marks the official kick-off of the 2008 campaign when the slated work projects will be completed, local businesses can volunteer their services for other projects throughout the year.

Nationwide, the United Way is operating under its 2008 motto “Live United. Give. Advocate. Volunteer.” Those who may not be able to support the organization financially can also volunteer their time to work on one or more of the planned projects.

“My biggest goal right now is to get the word out to the public that the United Way is here in the area and viable and that the public can get involved in our efforts,” said Quinn. “We’d like to thank the community for their past support, helping us make lasting positive changes in Uniontown and surrounding communities.”

For more information on United Way South Fayette, Inc., to contribute financial support or to volunteer time, phone 724-438-2917.