United Way of Clallam County arranges a Day of Caring with community volunteer opportunities to mark the beginning of its annual fund drive each year.

 

For 2012, all volunteer opportunities will be on Saturday, Sept. 8, and United Way is partnering with the City of Sequim through the National Day of Service program, associated with honoring those who lost their lives and worked to save lives after 9/11.

 

“I have a goal of getting 1,000 Helping Hands out working in our county,” says Patrick Downie, 2012 United Way volunteer coordinator for the event. Companies adopt projects as team-building opportunities; church groups, community volunteers and especially families are welcome to join in.

 

Kick-off ceremonies for Sept. 8 in Sequim will be at 8 a.m. at the flagpole in Carrie Blake Park with a Boy Scout Troop leading a flag salute.

 

There are more than 25 projects currently scheduled throughout the county, including these in Sequim:
• Sequim Food Bank — Painting and reorganizing interior and landscaping exterior
• Sequim Pump House — Painting
• First Teacher Playground — Playground upgrade and maintenance
• Red Cross (Carlsborg) — Painting and reorganizing interior
• Carrie Blake Park — Landscaping and picnic shelter maintenance
• Projects (multiple) at City of Sequim parks and other sites — Meet at City Office flag pole at 8:30 a.m.

 

To volunteer, call United Way at 457-301; contact Sequim City Clerk Karen Kuznek-Reese at 683-4139 or Volunteer Coordinator Linda Cherry at 582-2447, or lcherry@sequimwa.gov.; or just come to the particular projects at 9 a.m. on Sept. 8.

United Way also has lists of projects in Port Angeles and elsewhere in the county.

 

The goal for this year’s United Way fund drive (September-December) is $1,060,000 to distribute to nonprofits throughout the year.