Volunteers sought for United Way's 'Day of Caring'

Roll up your sleeves. United Way of Tompkins County is kicking off its 1998 campaign Sept. 16 with the second annual "Day of Caring."

Volunteers are needed to paint rooms, wash windows, fix playground equipment and clean yards for United Way agencies. More than six dozen Cornell employees are expected to participate, according to Cornell campus campaign leaders.

"The initial Day of Caring last year had a positive response. Volunteers, agencies, corporations and the United Way all felt good about their experiences," said Susan H. Murphy, vice president for student and academic services and chair of the Cornell United Way campaign.

Robert Barker/University Photography Murphy

At Cornell, staff and faculty who want to do hands-on work at community agencies will be given paid release time, contingent on approval from their supervisors, for the day's volunteer work. "We're asking Cornell faculty and staff to get involved and be a hero by volunteering for this direct-action event," Murphy said.

Teams of Cornell volunteers will be assigned to specific work sites. After completing their assignments, the Cornell volunteers will join those from other businesses at 4 p.m. in Stewart Park, where there will be refreshments and an opportunity to share their experiences from the day's volunteering.

To participate in the Day of Caring, Cornell employees should contact Eric Booth by e-mail at <eab10@cornell.edu> once they have confirmed release time from their supervisors. Booth, a thesis architecture student in the College of Architecture, Art and Planning, is a campus campaign intern. The second annual Day of Caring is being coordinated by Dennis Stein, manager of staff outreach, and P.J. Mikula-Brown, human relations associate in the office of the associate provost.

Murphy said the Day of Caring provides an excellent opportunity for employees, the university and the local community to develop a deeper appreciation of the ways they can meet critical needs in the community by working together.