More than 900 Volunteers Participate in United Way’s 26th Annual Day of Caring

Allentown, PA June 21, 2018 – More than 900 employees from 45 businesses and organizations performed 60 community service projects at 42 nonprofits during United Way’s 26^th Annual Day of Caring, the community’s largest, single-day volunteer effort.
 
“Today’s volunteers show us what it means to LIVE UNITED,” said David Lewis, President, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV). “The enthusiasm on Day of Caring is contagious. People want to get involved and give back. We’re so proud to partner with Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley to create opportunities for them to become engaged in our community.”
 
Each June, communities around the world come together to harness the volunteer spirit and improve the conditions in which they live. UWGLV joined local United Ways across the nation in creating similar day-of-action experiences that engage thousands of volunteers in community service projects throughout the country.
 
“I can’t think of a more impactful way to officially kick off the 2018 UWGLV Campaign. It’s inspiring to live and work with people who want to make the Lehigh Valley the best place it can be,” said Just Born Quality Confections Chairman David Shaffer, who joins his wife Sue as 2018 Campaign Co-chairs.
 
“Everyone who rolled up their sleeves today as well as those who volunteer throughout the year have our deepest gratitude. We appreciate the businesses and organizations that allow their employees to participate. It shows the giving spirit we know and love in the Greater Lehigh Valley,” added Sue.
 
In the Greater Lehigh Valley, participants contributed $108,000 in volunteer hours to more than thirty nonprofits in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties. Some Day of Caring projects included:

• Sprucing up Central Elementary School with City Center Allentown
• Stocking the food pantry at The Salvation Army in Easton with Crayola
• Serving healthy meals to kids at the Boys and Girls Club of Easton
• Spending quality time with seniors at the YWCA of Bethlehem with PPL
• Delivering meals to seniors with Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County

“Today’s volunteers should know that together they made a huge impact on our nonprofits and touched a lot of lives on Day of Caring,” said Karen Daly Smith, CEO, Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley.
 
Day of Caring’s Presenting Sponsor is Crayola. Additional support is provided by Bronze Sponsors Amazon Fulfillment, Wegmans Food Markets and lehighvalleylive.com + The Express-Times and Lunch Sponsor Capital BlueCross. In-kind contributors include Coca-Cola Bottling Company of the Lehigh Valley, Uline and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
 
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley raises money and invests in programs to achieve three bold goals: increase the number of third-graders reading on grade level, decrease the number of food insecure residents and increase the number of seniors whose basic needs are met at home. UWGLV’s program investments impact the lives of 60,000 people each year and create opportunities to improve the health, education and safety of everyone in our community.