September 6, 2005

14TH ANNUAL UNITED WAY DAY OF CARING SETS RECORD
3,222 Participants Investing Time and Energy in Our Community

Lancaster, PA (September 6, 2005) -For many Lancasterians, Saturday mornings are reserved for yard work, gardening, and odd-jobs around the house. This Saturday, thousands of people are expected to weed, clean and perform a variety of tasks at sites across the county as part of the 14th Annual United Way Day of Caring – the largest in local history.

Held to encourage volunteerism and community giving, this county-wide event has expanded from 200 participants in 1991 to this year’s record number of 3,222 participants assisting with 204 projects this year.

“It is awe-inspiring to travel around the county and see the thousands of individuals coming together and helping others in our community,” says Joe Del Tito, Chair of the 2005 United Way of Lancaster County Campaign. “There is plenty of hard work involved, but it is also fun to put on that blue Day of Caring t-shirt and pitch-in with everyone around you.”

At the Urban League of Lancaster County on South Duke Street, volunteers from Wachovia Bank are assisting with several tasks. They are cleaning windows, shampooing carpets and are putting their PC-skills to work by assisting with data entry.

Working outdoors, Alcoa Lancaster is partnering with the Council on Drug & Alcohol Abuse’s Beautification Project to plant 20 trees in Lancaster City. Assisted by Fulton Youtheater volunteers,trees will be planted at McCaskey High School, Wharton Elementary, Washington Elementary and Hand Elementary.

Across town, a team from RR Donnelley is cleaning indoor project sites and disinfecting all of the toys in the YWCA’s Daycare. “With all of the kids in our childcare program, this is an important job,” says Cathy Minnerly, YWCA Volunteer Coordinator.

Additionally, over 100 companies and organizations are participating in this year’s Day of Caring. “The commitment from the community is incredible,” says Susan Eckert, President of United Way of Lancaster County. “Several companies have committed to projects with more than 50 participants each. Others have donated materials and food supplies for the celebration picnic.” Eckert continues, “Day of Caring is a visible symbol of collective action and positive community spirit.” The 14th Annual United Way Day of Caring is sponsored by Lancaster General and Fulton Bank. It concludes with a free picnic at McCaskey East High School for all the participants. All food and supplies for the event were generously donated by Lancaster County businesses.

For more information about United Way of Lancaster County, please contact call 394.0731, or visit the organization’s website at www.uwlanc.org.