Day of Caring Volunteers Tackle New City Projects for the United Way of Rockland

On Sept. 19, The United Way of Rockland County held its 21st Annual Day of Caring – the largest day of corporate community service in Rockland County.

More than 150 volunteers from local companies spent the day donating their time and talents to non-profits around the county.

It is estimated that over the last 20 years, more than 5,000 volunteers have donated time/services valued at over $750,000.

The day started with a kickoff breakfast and rally at Provident Bank Park, home of the Rockland Boulders. Breakfast was supplied by Ovations Food Services and Rockland Bakery. The crowd was entertained by the Nanuet High School Concert Choir under the direction of Elaine Royal. Also, thanks to the Boulders, the United Way of Rockland’s new campaign video was debuted on the Jumbotron.

The volunteers then went directly to their projects. Each volunteer received a special shirt to commemorate their services that day. The Day of Caring sponsors are listed on the back of that shirt.

“This event would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors and donors,” said Mimi Vilord, President & CEO of United Way of Rockland.

Here are some of the project—and volunteers:

• The volunteers painted rooms at several group homes for ARC of Rockland and did fall cleanup at Prime Time For Kids, which is ARC’s early learning center in New City.
• Volunteers also did painting and cleaning at Hospice of Rockland in New City.
• In Nyack, volunteers from M&T Bank hung curtains and painted at the Nyack Senior Center for Meals on Wheels.
• In Nanuet, they helped organize baby clothes for Birthright of Rockland, which helps mothers in need with clothing for their babies.
• The largest was in Spring Valley as part of Keep Rockland Beautiful, where volunteers cleaned the adjoining Pascack Brook and roadway at an abandoned house.
• The management company of Blue Hill Plaza in Pearl River had a team that sealed and waterproofed the benches and gazebo at St. Dominic’s Home in Orangeburg.