LIVE UNITED IN CLARKSVILLE BY PARTICIPATING IN THE 2009 DAYS OF CARING AND “THE BEST OF UNITED WAY”

Clarksville, TN - In 1993, the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region launched the first Day of Caring for our community. The goal was to show members in the community how to live united through their contributions, how the partner agencies of United Way affect people’s lives and to demonstrate how their support through volunteering and contributing creates the opportunities for a good life for all by advancing the common good. Those Days of Caring volunteers accomplished many things including; cleaning and painting, working with disadvantaged children, delivering meals and building wheel-chair ramps. That first Day of Caring was a resounding success because our local business leaders allowed their employees to take a half day, or even a full day, off with pay so their employees could volunteer their time working at any one of United Way’s partner agencies.

Last year, over 400 volunteers from all walks of life in our community participated in Days of Caring. Through their efforts, important work was accomplished, but more importantly, they became actively engaged in our community and learned that when they reach out a hand to one, they influence the condition of all by giving, advocating and volunteering.

Some examples of what volunteers accomplished during Days of Caring last year:
*Meals for home-bound seniors were prepared, packaged and delivered
*Food was stocked and arranged and meals prepared and served at The Salvation Army
*Volunteers worked with the clients at the Adult Day Care program Seniors at the Senior Citizens Center were helped with dance and creative writing classes and with recreational activities like bingo and shuffleboard
*The grounds of the Progressive Directions and the United Way office were landscaped
*Volunteers read to the children at the local Head Start sites

This year, the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region is again reaching out to encourage the public to get involved and LIVE UNITED in our community by participating in the
five-day event, Days of Caring.

This year’s Days of Caring event is scheduled for August 10th through the 15th. To thank and recognize volunteers, United Way will provide them with a commemorative t-shirt to wear during their volunteer time. Days of Caring will wrap up with the annual United Way Volunteer Recognition and Campaign Kick-off celebration. This year’s celebration, “The Best of United Way,” will begin at 5:30 pm on Saturday, August 15th at McGregor Park on Riverside Drive with music by the Beagles and some singer-songwriters from Nashville. Partner Agencies will provide fun and games for the whole family. Come out and vote on the best partner agency game and booth décor. The winner will be crowned the “Best of United Way.”

Food for the event will be provided on a first come first serve basis and will be sponsored by Backyard Burgers, Coca-Cola Bottling Company and DQ Grill and Chill. Other sponsors of the event include 94.3 The Eagle, Fort Campbell Federal Credit Union, Home City Ice, Legends Bank, The Leaf Chronicle, Planters Bank, Perdue Acoustics and US Bank. The event is free and open to the public. Please leave all pets and alcohol at home.

Volunteer Sign-up sheets and release forms for Days of Caring are available online at
http://www.liveunitedclarksville.org/, or at the United Way office, 1300 Madison Street, through July 31st. Any materials and/or supplies necessary to complete the assigned tasks will be provided by the participating agencies. For more information about Days of Caring, see the website or call the United Way office at (931) 647-4291.