Volunteers Strengthen Community through United Way Day of Caring

For Immediate Release
June 7, 2011 –

Volunteers Strengthen Community through United Way Day of Caring
Over 200 Volunteers sign up to make an impact on June 10

United Way Day of Caring is a unique opportunity for employees in workplaces to come together, develop team-building skills and make a difference in our community by taking part in one-day work projects in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) not-for-profit social service agencies.

On Friday, June 10th workplace teams will do light construction, gardening, painting and maintenance tasks.  Last year, 190 volunteers
came together and collectively changed our community for the better at 24 project sites across KFL&A. This year 205 volunteers have signed
up to spend the day at 29 sites across KFL&A.

The United Way Day of Caring volunteer committee has been hard at work since early this year, identifying projects, recruiting volunteers from workplaces, organizing equipment and pursuing rail and material sponsors.  Committee chair, Michele Finney, says, “Day of Caring inspires many employees because they develop a deeper understanding of the many social services and agencies in our community funded by the United Way.”

The event kicks off with breakfast at 8:30 a.m., at St. Lawrence College, Kingston campus, Portsmouth Avenue and King Street. Teams of volunteers will work on projects through the morning and wrap up with a barbecue hosted by the Junior Ranks Mess, CFB Kingston at 2 p.m.

Day of Caring

• Day of Caring demonstrates that volunteer efforts are vital to the well-being of our community.
• Day of Caring provides volunteers with a firsthand look at services provided by local nonprofit social service agencies that make an impact on people’s lives.
• Day of Caring showcases our communities’ volunteer efforts and promotes the spirit of caring throughout the year.
• Day of Caring provides many local agencies with much-needed volunteer assistance.
• Over the past 10 years, Day of Caring volunteers have contributed more than 8200 volunteer hours.
• 194 projects have been tackled since its inception in 2001.

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Media contact:
Bhavana Varma, President & CEO
United Way KFLA
613-542-2674 ext. 2
bvarma@unitedwaykfla.ca

Participating Workplaces:
Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board
Allstate Insurance
Assurant Solutions
Bell
Bombardier Systems
CFB Kingston
City of Kingston
Correctional Service Canada
DuPont Canada
Empire Life
Frontenac Children’s Aid Society
Hydro One Inc.
India-Canada Association
Intercall
INVISTA (Canada) Company
Lafarge Canada Cement
Lyman Potts
Ministry of Transportation
Novelis Global Technology Center
Novelis Specialty Products
Ongwanada
Providence Care
Residence Inn by Marriott
Rogers Radio Group Kingston
South East Community Care Access Centre
St. Lawrence College
Worley Parsons

Agencies:
Better Beginnings for Kingston Children
Big Brothers Big Sisters KFL&A
Boys & Girls Club of Kingston & Area
The Canadian Hearing Society
Canadian Mental Health Association
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
Collins Bay Child Care
Elizabeth Fry Society of Kingston
Food Sharing Project
Helen Tuft Nursery School
K3C Community Counselling Centres
Kingston Community Gardens Network
Kingston Community Health Centres
Kingston Day Care Inc.
Kingston Family YMCA
Kingston Home Base Non-Profit Housing
Kingston Interval House
Kingston Literacy & Skills
Kingston Youth Shelter
Lennox & Addington Interval House
Limestone Advisory for Child Care Programs
Loving Spoonful
Northern Frontenac Community Services
Rideau Child Care Centre
Ryandale Shelter for the Homeless
Southern Frontenac Community Services
St. Martha Child Care Centre
Sunshine Playhouse Early Childhood Centre
Trillium Child Care Centre
United Way serving KFL&A
Youth Diversion Program

Lead Sponsor:
Assurant Solutions

Material Sponsors:
Bottom Line Business Solutions
CRS Rental Services
Empire Life
Glen Supply
Hydro One
Novelis Global Technology Centre
Parade of Paints
Pyke Farms
Rigney Building Supply
U-Haul
United Rentals

Kick-off Sponsors:
St. Lawrence College
Tim Hortons

Wrap Up BBQ:
CFB Kingston

Volunteer Committee:
Chair: Michele Finney, Hydro One
Rachel Brace, Ongwanada
Terri Fraser, Hydro One
Laura Gordon, Bottom Line Business Solutions
Tammy Keuhn, DuPont Canada
Karen Mason, Retired Novelis
Amanda Schleich, MTO
Kristal Stachel, Assurant Solutions
Maggie Stevens, St. Lawrence College