Published in the Akron Beacon Journal and on Ohio.com
The United Way of Summit County is offering more opportunities throughout the year for companies to encourage their workers to get involved and volunteer in the community.
Through the organization’s new 2016 Community Engagement Calendar, corporations can find a variety of hands-on volunteer opportunities to help employees understand, experience and feel connected to the work of the United Way.
“Volunteers play a vital role in United Way’s work to make our community stronger,” Jim Mullen, United Way of Summit County’s president and chief executive officer, said in a news release. “This calendar of events will help local companies meet their corporate social responsibility goals by engaging employees in volunteerism while also uniting large numbers of volunteers to make a difference for our neighbors.
United Way’s community engagement projects, planned by United Way staff, can accept large groups and offer team-building and networking opportunities.
“United Way is working to strengthen and improve the way we attract, inspire and deepen the passion and knowledge of our volunteers and donors,” said Sarah Catherine Teixeira, United Way’s vice president of resource development. “We know employees are keen to volunteer when they do it as a team and when their company supports United Way to organize and run the project for them.”
A full schedule of this year’s events and a downloadable calendar can be viewed at uwsummit.org/volunteer.
They include:
• Page It Forward Book Drive: February 1 to 29.
Donate books and give the gift of reading to children in Summit County.
A Sort-A-Thon will be held on Dr. Seuss’s birthday, March 2.
• Read to Me Day I: March 4.
Volunteers read aloud to children in a Barberton City Schools classroom.
• Smart Start Baby Shower Collection: April 4 to 29.
Collect baby items to help at-risk mothers and give their newborns a strong start.
• A Sort-a-Thon and Baby Shower will be held in May on a date to be determined.
• Day of Action: June 17.
United Way’s annual Day of Action mobilizes and inspires individuals and corporations on the same day, across Summit County and in a highly visible way, to channel passion into action.
• Stuff the Bus: July 5 to Aug. 15.
Collect school supplies for Akron Public School children. Volunteers will also be needed for a Sort-a-Thon and to deliver the supplies on the first day of school.
• Read to Me Day II: Nov. 3.
Volunteers read to elementary school students in Akron Public Schools and donate the books to the classrooms.
• Holiday Snack Pack Food Drive: Nov. 28 to Dec. 16.
Collect food for at-risk children to eat on their holiday school break.
A Sort-a-Thon will be held on December 21 where volunteers will pack meal kits.