slideshow

United Way of Richmond County is inviting community members to participate in its annual Day of Caring on Wednesday, Sept. 14.

The Day of Caring was established to promote the spirit and value of volunteerism, increase awareness of local human service agencies and demonstrate what people working together for the community’s good can accomplish.

“This is the fourth year we’ve mobilized volunteers to help with various projects around the community,” said Michelle Parrish, United Way executive director.

Parrish said that, in the past, many employers have been gracious enough to allow workers to take time off to participate in the project.

“We always have at least 100 participants,” said Parrish. “And this year I hope to see even more.”

Community members are asked to arrive at one of seven service project locations at 9 a.m. the morning of the event — except for the senior center project, which will begin at 11 a.m.

This year’s locations will be:

- 9 a.m. Cordova School, at 194 Church St. in Cordova

Project: beautification

- 9 a.m. Literacy Council, at 316 East Washington St. in Rockingham (across from Food King)

Project: beautification

- 11 a.m. Ellerbe Senior Center, at 306 Millstone Road in Ellerbe

Project: serving lunch, organizing games

- 9 a.m. Richmond Christian Counseling, at 110 North Lawrence St. in Rockingham

Project: painting

- 9 a.m. Backpack Pals of Richmond County, at 101 Bridges St. in Hamlet (unit located beside McLaurin Center)

Project: packing backpacks with food for children

- 9 a.m. Sandhills Children’s Center, at 108 Crow Run in Rockingham (road directly across from Perdue)

Project: painting and installing shelves

- 9 a.m. Habitat for Humanity, at 342 N. Raleigh St. in Hamlet

Project: construction on a Habitat home

“United Way continues to be a great partner,” said Chris Carpenter, Richmond County Area Manager for Habitat for Humanity of the NC Sandhills. “We’re looking forward to working with the community that day, and seeing some new faces at one of our project sites. The Day of Caring not only offers organizations in our community a very welcome hand — but allows us to meet new people who might not otherwise have a chance to find out what we’re all about.”

Carpenter said that the building project at 342 N. Raleigh St. will be a floor system on the Day of Caring.

“Anybody and everybody is welcome to volunteer at any of the Day of Caring locations,” said Parrish.

For more information on the Day of Caring, contact (910) 997-2173.

— Staff Writer Kelli Easterling can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 18, or by email at keasterling@heartlandpublications.com.