More than 300 Volunteers throughout Rockland for Spring Day Day of Caring

The United Way of Rockland County held its 5th Annual Spring Day of Caring event April 17.

It is one of the largest volunteer community service events in Rockland County.

The day brought together more than 300 volunteers from local companies with students from St. Thomas Aquinas, Dominican and Rockland Community Colleges for one common purpose: to donate their time and energy to local non-profits, which support individuals and families in need. 20 projects at 16 non-profits around Rockland were completed thanks to these volunteers.

“Donations are down. Without the help of these volunteers, these are projects that the agencies might not be able to otherwise afford. The Day of Caring is more critical now than ever,” said Jay Lurch, UWRC Chairperson.

The day began with a kickoff rally and lunch at 11:30 for the participating volunteers, supplied by Ovations Food Services, at Provident Bank Park, home of the Rockland Boulders. Members of the United Way thanked all the volunteers for their service and extend their gratitude to the sponsors for their support.

At the end of the rally, the volunteers reported directly to their designated projects, which ranged from landscaping to power washing to painting. Each volunteer was given a special shirt to commemorate their service, which lists the Day of Caring sponsors on the back. The shirt was designed by Barbara Letizia, a junior at Clarkstown South High School, and was chosen from a field of entries by the UWRC Board of Directors.

“I firmly believe that volunteers are the life blood of a community, and ours are proof that Rockland is a very caring community in which to live and work,” said Mimi Vilord, President & CEO of United Way of Rockland. “Without our generous sponsors and the efforts of our volunteers, this day would not be possible.”

PHOTOS: Doing roadside cleanup along the Pascack brook, folding and sorting baby clothes for parents in need, at Meals on Wheels, at RCALD group home/UWRC