‘Show up and clean up’ is the motto for this year’s United Way Day of Caring, which takes place on Orcas, Lopez and San Juan Islands on Saturday, Sept. 12., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event kicks off United Way’s fall fund-raising campaign to provide grants for human-service organizations in the county.
Candace Bodenhamer is chairing the Orcas event. Everyone is invited to join members of Lions, Kiwanis and Odd Fellows 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the registration tent next to Orcas Center. She and other United Way of San Juan County board members will provide coffee and cookies for the cleanup crews on the school’s Vitality Trail, at Orcas Center and the Senior Center.
Volunteers are asked to bring clippers and, when possible, spades and wheelbarrows.
United Way’s Day of Caring tackle projects such as home and garden maintenance for seniors, beach and trail cleanup and restoration, while providing an opportunity to build relationships among employees, families and the community. Last year, more than 75 volunteers participated in the Day of Caring in the San Juan Islands.
This fall, the local United Way is foregoing the annual direct mail campaign, and instead will request that current donors “Ask One” of their friends, neighbors, colleagues or co-workers to contribute to United Way.
Although United Way is a national organization, ninety-nine percent of the funds raised locally by United Way of San Juan Islands is spent within the county. Last year, United Way of San Juan County provided $115,000 to local programs, including OPAL, the Orcas Family Health Center, the Orcas School District’s Primary Intervention and the Readiness to Learn programs, The Funhouse Mentoring Program,Orcas Montessori Tuition Assistance and the Orcas Island Prevention Partnership. United Way alos funded 4-H Development program, and the Compass Health Chemical Dependency and Mental Health programs.
For further information, all 378-4121, or go to www.unitedway-sanjuancounty.org
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