United Way needs help for its Day of Caring
More than 600 volunteers will take to the streets in June for one hectic day to tackle much-needed projects -- from painting and landscaping to cleaning and making minor repairs -- for dozens of area organizations.
It's all part of the Fox Valley United Way's annual Day of Caring June 14, said Deborah Collins, director of administrative services for the group.
The community-wide event will bring together volunteers from the United Way, city and county governments and area churches based on the theme "Join Hands. Open Your Heart. Lend Your Muscle."
To participate, register online at uwfoxvalley.org, call (630) 896-4636 or e-mail info@uwfoxvalley.org.
Collins recently talked with the Daily Herald about the Fox Valley United Way and some of the challenges it faces.
Q. What's the mission of the Fox Valley United Way?
A. To measurably improve lives in the communities we serve.
Q. How do you work toward accomplishing that goal?
A. We provide funding for 52 social and human service agencies in the Fox Valley.
Q. Who do you serve?
A. We serve residents in Aurora, Big Rock, Bristol, Hinckley, Little Rock, Millbrook, Montgomery, Mooseheart, North Aurora, Oswego, Plano, Plattville, Sugar Grove and Yorkville.
Q. When and why did the organization start?
A. We have been a local United Way for 86 years.
Q. What kind of successes have you had?
A. We are proud of the programs Fox Valley United Way supports -- more than 120 health and human service programs that, for example, help single mothers find a job, a place to live and affordable child care.
The agencies we support provide teens with an alternative to gangs, aid individuals as they battle substance abuse, provide shelter to the homeless and assist seniors, to name a few.
Q. What challenges does Fox Valley United Way face?
A. Like all not-for-profits, we face the economic challenges of raising money in a tight economy -- but that's when the agencies we serve need the most help.
Our Annual Day of Caring brings hundreds of volunteers together for quick fix-up jobs that can be done in a short period but that are critically important to organizations that work in the community.
Our 2008-09 campaign kicks off in August with an annual What Floats Your Boat cardboard boat race.
Q. What do you wish the community at large knew about your organization?
A. How far all the dollars donated to Fox Valley United Way go into the community and what a difference those donations make in people's lives every day.
Q. How can readers get involved?
A. You can volunteer for the Day of Caring or volunteer to help with the United Way 2008/2009 Campaign.
Vital statistics
Number of requests for help: We fund more than 50 social service agencies and support more than 120 different programs.
Annual budget: $1 million-plus
Sources of funding: Company-employee workplace fundraising campaigns and corporate donations/grants provide more than 90 percent of the funds we raise.
Amount raised for other organizations: 52 separate social service agencies in the 14 communities Fox Valley United Way serves.
Number of full-time employees: 3
Number of volunteers: More than 80
Current donation wish list: For Day of Caring: volunteers willing to work; need donations of flowers, plants, bushes, trees, mulch, stone bench, heavy duty picnic table.
How to donate
Drop-off and mail addresses: 40 W. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60506
How to volunteer
Main phone: (630) 896-4636
E-mail: info@uwfoxvalley.org
Web site: uwfoxvalley.org