It was a volunteer gathering like never before. More 2,000 corporate volunteers recently participated in Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW) Days of Caring, the largest annual volunteer event in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. From company managers and theme park executives to commercial bankers and state employees, 2,232 local volunteers reached out to help neighbors in need. In all, employees from 56 companies contributed more than 9,430 hours and completed 72 projects at 32 local agencies supported by HFUW. As a result, these organizations received the equivalent of $201,569 in volunteer service and support.
While some projects kicked off in mid-September, a majority of activities took place on Friday, September 23. The final and largest project occurred on Saturday, October 24 when more than 1,200 volunteers from Lockheed Martin, Inc., HFUW’s third-largest corporate contributor, gathered at Edgewood Children’s Ranch. Employees landscaped the grounds, painted playgrounds and exterior facilities, created privacy berms, built handrails for wheelchair ramps – and much more.
“Our kids think Christmas came early for them this year,” said Stuart Eldridge, CEO of Edgewood Children’s Ranch. “As a result of United Way’s Days of Caring, they were so excited to see things built and repaired just for their enjoyment. We literally had to make them wait for the paint to dry. We could have never duplicated the many hours of labor provided during this year’s event. Companies supporting United Way, like Lockheed Martin, accomplish things we can only dream about.”
Other participating corporate partners included Publix Super Markets, SunTrust Bank, Enterprise Holdings, Orlando Magic and Fifth Third Bank – to name just a few. Projects ranged from hosting fitness activities at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida and bingo parties at Seniors First, to completing landscaping improvements at Palmetto Elementary School and playing “Ad Libs” with children at Richmond Heights Elementary.
The school activities, hosted at three underperforming elementary schools, supported United Way’s efforts to improve early childhood literacy, in part by recruiting 3,000 volunteer readers, tutors and mentors over the next three years. HFUW’s long-range goal is to cut the number of high-school dropouts in half by 2018. Other educational activities included reading to children and creating “All About Me” story books.
“Now more than ever, volunteerism is a great way for area businesses and individuals to demonstrate their commitment to the community and our children,” said Lorri Highet, Director of the United Way Volunteer Resource Center. “Days of Caring highlights what can be accomplished when all segments of our community work together to help others. This year’s record-setting turnout is a great milestone and indicates that momentum is building to provide even more volunteer support for local nonprofits in the challenging year ahead.”
While building teamwork and company morale, volunteers participating in United Way Days of Caring projects learned about the challenges facing those in need and took satisfaction in making a difference.
For information about how to get involved, contact Heart of Florida United Way at (407) 835-0900 or visit www.hfuw.org.
