Credit: Trident United Way
For more than two decades, volunteers have contributed thousands of hours to nonprofits all around the tri-county area as part of Days of Caring. Organized by Trident United Way, this year marks the 25th anniversary of fostering volunteerism.
The largest community volunteer event in the area is Nov. 19 to Nov. 21. Each year, Trident United Way matches nonprofit agencies and schools with teams who give of their time and skill.
This year, more than 1,500 people representing more than 60 businesses will volunteer in more than 65 nonprofits.
Katherine Torbush, Trident United Way director of strategic volunteer engagement, said this event is a tremendous capacity builder for the nonprofits. Just last year, Days of Caring volunteers generated almost $200,000 of support for the community.
For all the participating organizations, witnessing this level of community support is impactful, Torbush said. Nonprofits – especially some of the smaller ones – are reminded how much people in the community care about their work.
And volunteers learn more about the needs of their neighbors. “It reminds you this is what is going on in the community,” Torbush said. “In some situations, it’s harsh and you hate to see it, but it keeps you in touch with what people are going through.”
On Sept. 11, 2001, Trident United Way hosted its second Day of Caring. The next year the daylong volunteer event was purposely scheduled for the first anniversary of 9/11. That year's Day of Caring became a meaningful way for the community to honor those lost in the terrorist attacks.
What was a single day of service has become a three-day event with far-reaching impacts. Trident United Way moved the event to November to coincide with the holiday season when a number of local organizations need extra hands.
Dana Vaughn is development events/outreach manager at Lowcountry Food Bank. She said people often don’t realize how great the needs are right in their own backyard. Days of Caring brings a new level of awareness to the work Lowcountry Food Bank does.
“We need volunteers year round, but it really heightens in the holiday season,” Vaughn said. “We want to ensure people can sit down with their families and have a good meal. It brings a lot of dignity to our neighbors who are struggling. The awareness is really impactful. Days of Caring is introducing volunteers to organizations that need the help year round.”
Just this year, Lowcountry Food Bank projects volunteers will contribute 45,000 hours, which is about 20 full-time employees, Vaughn said.
The added volunteer support during Days of Caring is significant, Vaughn said.
Lowcountry Food Bank packs 3,500 food boxes for seniors each month. “Our staff alone cannot accomplish that,” Vaughn said. “Having a big group come in for Days of Caring is something we really rely on. We can’t do what we do without our volunteers.”
For more information about Trident United Way visit www.tuw.org.