Join us for Day of Caring on October 18, 2024!
Day of Caring is a community-wide initiative that connects volunteers and resources with local agencies and schools needing support.
Since 1993, United Way of West Florida has coordinated 28,754 volunteers to complete 2,640 projects across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Each year, we're heartened to see hundreds - sometimes thousands! - of people working together to complete all kinds of projects that provide additional capacity to the organizations and institutions that keep our community strong.
Thank you to all the amazing volunteers who joined us last year for the 30th Day of Caring. 728 volunteers completed over 68 projects with 3,108 hours of work ranging from yard work, food service at shelters, reading to children, painting walls, and even building homes. The value of their donated time is estimated to have a $98,834.40 impact on our community!
For more information and questions email Community Impact Coordinator, Julia Helton at julia.helton@uwwf.org or call 850.912.8177. Check out below for FAQ's.
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Sponsorship Opportunities are available:
Check out all our Day of Caring sponsorship opportunities here.
Read our full sponsorship packet here.
If you have any questions about sponsorships, please contact our VP of Philanthropy and Communications, Stephen Prestesater at stephen.prestesater@uwwf.org or call 850.444.7042.
2024 Timeline
August 15: Project Leader Training for Agencies - Virtual
August 16: Project Leader Training for Volunteers - Virtual
August 21: Makeup Training - Virtual
August 30: Deadlines for Agencies to Create Projects in Get Connected
September 3 to September 6: Sponsors Select Projects
September 9: Project Select opens to all volunteers
September 18: Day of Caring Shirt Order Form Deadline
September 24: Interest Form Deadline
October 9: Meet & Greet
October 18: Day of Caring!!!!
Our Project and team sign-ups will be through our Get Connected Platform.
If you are new or need a refresher on using our Get Connected platform sign up for one of our monthly labs below.
Labs are hybrid, with the option to join us in the UWWF Community Room, 7100 Plantation Rd, STE 18, or join us on teams.
If you have questions about Get Connected, contact our Community Impact Coordinator Julia Helton at julia.helton@uwwf.org.
Maryann Andrews Community Health Northwest Florida
Corey Booth Florida Power and Light
Larry Cherry NAS Pensacola
Kami Faulkner Navy Federal Credit Union
Nicole Holland Envision Health
Wanda Kotick Escambia County School District
Chris McFarland Escambia County School District
Julia Helton United Way of West Florida
Gretchen Hullenbaugh United Way of West Florida
Stephen Prestesater United Way of West Florida
Mary Zaledonis United Way of West Florida
Q: How can I sign up for Day of Caring?
A: One from your nonprofit or school can complete an interest form for the whole agency. The interest form includes – the nonprofit/school name, the number of projects you would like to host (the number can be changed), primary contact, and secondary contact.
Q: When and where can I create my agency’s project?
A: Projects are to be created on UWWF’s volunteer platform, Get Connected. Projects can be created anytime between now and Friday, August 30. Make sure you mark your project as “Private” so Day of Caring volunteers have an opportunity to see your project when it is time for their project selection. If you are new to Get Connected sign up for one of our Learning Labs to learn more about the platform at uwwf.org/learninglabs.
Q: What do I do if I cannot get ahold of my volunteer team lead?
A: If a second point of contact was provided, contact them. If it wasn’t or you cannot get ahold of them, contact Julia Helton at julia.helton@uwwf.org or 850-912-8177.
Q: Can I have multiple volunteer groups?
A: Yes. If you are an agency, you can host multiple projects.
Q: What is the DOC Project Leader Training?
A: This is a virtual call for agencies that are participating in Day of Caring. UWWF will cover how to prepare for the event, how to create projects in Get Connected, and the timeline of events. There are separate calls for agencies and volunteers with information tailored to the appropriate group. This will be on Monday, August 19 via Microsoft Teams.
Q: What is the DOC Meet & Greet?
A: This is an in-person gathering for agencies and volunteers to come together once projects have been selected. This is a time to hear last-minute details of the event and connect with your project coordinator/volunteer team lead to plan for the day. This typically happens in October, the week before the Day of Caring. This year's will be on Wednesday, October 9.
Q: What type of projects can my agency host?
A: Projects can range from painting sidewalks to building a house. Click here to see examples of projects your nonprofit or school can host. Note – projects cannot include any janitorial work.
Q: How can I sign up for Day of Caring?
A: One person can complete an interest form for their whole team. The interest form includes – the organization name, primary contact, and secondary contact.
Q: Will my team receive t-shirts after the t-shirt deadline?
A: T-shirt forms must be in by Wednesday, September 18 for your team to receive a T-shirt.
Q: When and where can my team sign up for projects?
A: Project selection is open to Day of Caring sponsors from Tuesday, September 3 to Friday, September 6. Project selection is open to all volunteers starting Monday, September 9 to Monday, October 7. Projects will be posted on UWWF’s volunteer platform, Get Connected. If you are new to Get Connected sign up for one of our Learning Labs to learn more about the platform at uwwf.org/learninglabs.
Q: What do I do if I cannot get ahold of my project coordinator?
A: If a second point of contact was provided, contact them. If it wasn’t or you cannot get ahold of them, contact Julia Helton at julia.helton@uwwf.org or 850-912-8177.
Q: Can I have multiple volunteer groups?
A: Yes, if you are an organization volunteering, you can have multiple groups.
Q: What is the DOC Project Leader Training?
A: This is a virtual call for volunteers who are participating in Day of Caring. UWWF will cover how to prepare for the event, how to sign up for projects in Get Connected and the timeline of events. There are separate calls for agencies and volunteers with information tailored to the appropriate group. This will be on Friday, August 16 via Microsoft Teams.
Q: What is the DOC Meet & Greet?
A: This is an in-person gathering for agencies and volunteers to come together once projects have been selected. This is a time to hear last-minute details of the event and connect with your project coordinator/volunteer team lead to plan for the day. T-shirts will be picked up at this event. This will be on Wednesday, October 9.
August 18
Project Leader training
September 6
Sponsors pick projects
September 11
Project selection begins for all other volunteer teams
September 18
October 11
Meet & Greet
October 20
DAY OF CARING!
August 17
Project Leader training
August 31
Create projects in Get Connected
October 11
Meet & Greet
October 20
DAY OF CARING!
2023
Thank you to all the amazing volunteers, businesses, organizations, and nonprofits who joined us to make the 30th Day of Caring amazing!
Visit the link below to check out the gallery of photos from the volunteer projects.
October 2022
February 2022
February-March 2021
