September 6, 2006

15th ANNUAL DAY OF CARING KICKS-OFF UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN
More Than 3,000 Volunteers Help Build a Stronger Lancaster County

Lancaster, PA (August 24, 2006) – To host the largest per capita Day of Caring in the nation, United Way of Lancaster County calls on individuals, companies and even a few pets from around the county to step-up and volunteer. All told, 3,240 individuals (and 20 dogs) are taking part in this year’s Day of Caring.

“Held annually to encourage volunteerism and community involvement, Day of Caring is the perfect way to kick-off the 2006 Campaign,” said Bill Reuter, Campaign Chair. “This event demonstrates that when all of us work together, we can achieve results that no one can accomplish alone.”

At Brightside Opportunity Center on Hershey Avenue, Fulton Bank employees are working on several projects. The 65 volunteers are weeding and gardening in the yard, painting the facility and doing some general clean-up work. Another team of bankers is setting up for Brightside's barbecue later in the day.

“With employees volunteering together outside of the workplace,” said Reuter, “Day of Caring encourages teamwork and generates great enthusiasm for United Way within the work place, too.”

At Lancaster Day Care Center, 30 volunteers from Armstrong are helping out. They are making repairs in the play yard and cleaning out the facility’s third floor. The team from Armstrong also is labeling and stuffing envelopes for an upcoming Lancaster Day Care Center mailing.

And working with the Red Cross, Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) volunteers are visiting area nursing homes with their pets. “These visits cheer-up the residents, promote interaction and assist with the residents’ motor and verbal skills,” said Jeff O’Donnell with the American Red Cross of the Susquehanna Valley. The therapists, and their dogs, are stopping in at Oak Leaf Manor North in Landisville and Susquehanna Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Columbia.

“It is truly incredible to witness the number of people working together to improve lives and build stronger communities,” says Susan Eckert, President of United Way of Lancaster County. “Over 120 organizations are helping with 183 projects and donations of food and supplies.”

United Way of Lancaster County’s 15th Annual Day of Caring, sponsored by Fulton Bank and Lancaster General, concludes with a free picnic at McCaskey East High School. All food and supplies were donated by Lancaster County businesses.