United Way in the News

660 United Way volunteers help out on ‘Day of Caring’  

Article published on September 1, 2007 
By DIANE CHUN
Sun staff writer 
             
If you spent much time driving around town Friday, you probably noticed crews of folks in matching beige T-shirts trimming back bushes, painting peeling walls or planting gardens at more than 50 locations around Gainesville and beyond.            

Less obvious were those who visited nursing home residents, restocked the shelves of local food banks and filled goody bags for the tooth fairy to deliver.             

They were some of the 660 volunteers from area organizations and businesses who took part in a “Day of Caring” sponsored by United Way of North Central Florida.    
         
This year’s even drew so many volunteers that they had to jockey for a parking spot at 8 a.m. at the University Hilton Hotel and Conference Center, where the day kicked off with a pep rally.   
          
“Having a problem with parking today is a good think,” Karen Bricklemyer told the crowd that filled the ballroom.  Bricklemyer is president and CEO of United Way of North Central Florida.             Bricklemyer took time to explain the need for a day dedicated to volunteer projects across the community.            

“The needs of our community are great.  More than 3,600 residents are afflicted with Alzheimer’s, more than 22 percent of the children under 5 are living in poverty.  The average age of a homeless person is 99, and more than 2,000 arrests are made each year for domestic violence,” she said.            

Addressing the audience, she added, “We know you want to make a difference and we want to help you do that.”            

Last year’s United Way volunteer workday was a washout, thanks to rains accompanying Tropical Storm Alberto.  This year, twice the number of volunteers went to work at care centers, nursing homes, food banks and other community assistance agencies.            

North Florida Regional Hospital and Shands HealthCare both fielded teams.  The group from the county tax assessor’s office drew some good-natured boos when they were introduced.  The two biggest groups, however, were from Nationwide Insurance and Regeneration Technologies.  Brian Hutchison of RTI is chairing this year’s United Way campaign.            

The goal for this year’s campaign is $3,985,618.  That’s a 7 percent increase over last year.            

The projects that volunteers tackled Friday focused on after-school and summer school programs for low-income families, interim housing, health education for the low-income uninsured, job skills and life skills training.            

“We want people to understand where their money goes,” Bricklemyer said.  “This gives them a chance to touch, feel and see the programs that their dollars are invested in.