Volunteers sought for 'Day of Caring'

SANDPOINT — Last year, United Way’s Day of Caring saw dozens of volunteers show up to help the group’s three projects in the community.

United Way board member Jack Dyck is hoping for similar support this year when the 2019 Day of Caring is held on Thursday, Sept. 12, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., as 13 projects throughout Bonner County have been identified. While some have already been adopted, others still need volunteers.

“I would like to recognize those who are committed to helping our nonprofits as well as put out the call for others to step up and help,” said Dyck in an email to the Daily Bee on Friday. “I need more help. We are only a week away (and a day) and I am hoping we can put out a call to get all of our projects done.

“So often I have found that people are more than willing to step up and help, they just don’t know how to make the connection to make it happen.”

The Day of Caring is a one-day event where volunteer teams from local businesses are matched up with local non-profits and schools to complete projects that fulfill their needs as well as those of the community. Often, the businesses arrange for employees to have time off to go to the non-profits site and complete the project.

One of United Way’s major events of the year, Dyck said the goal is to ensure the second Bonner County event is as successful as last year’s inaugural event. But for that to happen, more help is needed. Of the 13 projects, six have been matched up with businesses and another is a tentative.

Now in its 11th year, the event provides an opportunity for corporate teams, community groups, families, and individuals to experience and contribute to the essential work done by nonprofits on a daily basis.

The community’s nonprofit agencies benefit from concentrated human resources and outreach to new supporters.

However, you don’t need to be connected to a business to be a part of 2019’s Day of Caring — you just have to want to help others.

“In addition to businesses, we would welcome any individuals who have a heart for service and would like to help us complete one of these meaningful projects,” said Dyck.

United Way of North Idaho exists to improve lives in the community. UWNI does this by providing resources to programs that advance the education, health, financial stability and basic needs of people in the communities of North Idaho, Dyck said.

“In short, our mission is to improve the lives of the people in our community,” Dyck said of United Way. “We envision a community that works together to ensure children succeed in school, individuals live healthy lives and everyone has the opportunity to achieve financial well-being.”

Anyone interested — businesses, individuals or groups — should contact Jack Dyck at jdyck3221@gmail.com or by phone at 208-290-6840. Businesses can do the same and they can also go to unitedwayofnorthidaho.org/DoC-team-signup to sign up.

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.