With sunshine, smiling faces, and volunteers ready to serve, Oshkosh Area United Way’s 29th Annual Day of Caring once again demonstrated the power of a community coming together to support one another. On Wednesday, May 20, volunteers from across Oshkosh, the surrounding communities, and other parts of Wisconsin rolled up their sleeves to support local nonprofits, schools, and community organizations. Volunteers also assisted a local business that regularly partners with and supports area nonprofits and community initiatives — reflecting the collaborative spirit that helps strengthen our entire community.
This year’s Day of Caring included:
• 215 volunteers
• 25+ companies, clubs, and organizations represented
• 46+ projects completed
• 22 local nonprofits and organizations supported
• 645 hours of service contributed
• $23,310 in estimated community value
Day of Caring reflects Oshkosh Area United Way’s broader role in bringing people, organizations, and resources together to help address community needs. By connecting volunteers, nonprofits, schools, businesses, and community partners, Oshkosh Area United Way helps create opportunities for collaboration and collective impact so everyone in our community has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
The morning kicked off at the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh with breakfast, community connection, and words of encouragement from community leaders and volunteers before teams headed out across the area to paint, organize, clean, landscape, build, sort donations, and complete projects that will continue making a difference long after the day ended.
From organizing program spaces and beautifying community areas to helping prepare resources for local families and individuals, volunteers supported projects connected to many of Oshkosh Area United Way’s focus areas, including healthy communities, youth opportunity, financial security, and community resiliency.
“The impact of Day of Caring goes far beyond the physical labor and time volunteers give. It creates opportunities to complete projects that may not otherwise happen and can inspire new ideas that help the community take pride in shared spaces and accomplishments.
This year, volunteers from Hoffmaster helped spread 85 yards of mulch throughout the Leach Amphitheater grounds. Not only would this have taken staff days to complete, but it also enhances the natural beauty of a space used by thousands of people throughout the summer while protecting the health of the landscaping and trees.
The Hoffmaster volunteer team also helped repaint a storage shed at Riverside Cemetery, giving it a much-needed facelift and even sparked a conversation about adding a mural to the building in the future. In addition, the team completed touch-up painting around Opera House Square, helping enhance the space alongside the newly planted flowers.”
— Travis Derks, Landscape Operations Manager, City of Oshkosh Parks Department
“Team Hoffmaster really enjoyed lending a hand to support Oshkosh Area United Way’s Day of Caring event and address community needs. The experience strengthens our leadership, broadens our teamwork, improves our communication, and provides real-time problem-solving opportunities while making a meaningful impact within our community through collaboration and service.”
— Craig Cappel, CEO, Hoffmaster
“One of the services that Remarkable provides is our Day Service program, which helps enrich the lives of our participants with diverse abilities. Organization of our materials is important to the success of our daily groups.
The Ascension Mercy Hospital volunteer team participating in Oshkosh Area United Way’s Day of Caring did a tremendous job organizing our storage closet, and our staff were thrilled to see it more organized than it had been in years. It is now so much easier to find materials, all thanks to this wonderful volunteer group.”
— Luke Kiefer, Volunteer Coordinator, REMARKABLE
“It was such a rewarding experience volunteering at the Christine Ann Center helping with shelter cleaning and yard work. Our team was grateful for the opportunity to take care of maintenance tasks so their team can continue focusing on what matters most — caring for and supporting their clients.”
— Kayla Sweeney, Marketing Coordinator, Vivid Orthodontics
In addition to volunteering, participants donated diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies, and monetary gifts to help stock Oshkosh Area United Way’s Community Vault. Together, volunteers and community supporters contributed more than $350 in needed supplies and donations that will help local partner organizations respond quickly to the needs of individuals and families throughout the community.
“We continue to be inspired by the way our community comes together through Day of Caring,” said Heidi Thomas, President & CEO of Oshkosh Area United Way. “Whether someone volunteered on a project site, donated supplies, sponsored the event, or helped behind the scenes, every person played a role in helping move our community forward.”
“I’m always impressed with how well-organized Day of Caring is — it really makes volunteering easy and enjoyable. This year, 12 of my team members and I got to get out of the office and work with the amazing team at EAA, spending time digging up and replanting trees while also being part of something bigger across the community. Day of Caring really highlights the power of teamwork and giving back.”
— Brianna Borkenhagen, Banking Systems Lead, Fortifi Bank
Oshkosh Area United Way extends sincere thanks to:
- Hoffmaster and Jor-Mac for sponsoring the event
- Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh — especially Michelle, Jamie, and Adam — for hosting the kickoff breakfast, and The Howard for providing overflow parking
- Verve, a Credit Union, for helping fuel volunteers throughout the morning
- The Monday Ladies, Alan Shermo, and Colin Meighen for helping behind the scenes
- Rick and Allie Lieb of the Communities Program at Oshkosh North High School for sharing inspiring words with volunteers
- Everyone who donated items or monetary gifts to support the OAUW Community Vault
- The many project leads, nonprofit partners, volunteers, and supporters who made the day possible
While Day of Caring may only last one morning, the impact continues throughout the year. Volunteer opportunities supporting local nonprofits and community organizations are available year-round through VolunteerOshkosh.org, Oshkosh Area United Way’s volunteer center, which is funded and managed by Oshkosh Area United Way to help connect people with opportunities to give back locally.
When communities unite around a shared purpose, meaningful change happens.
United is the Way to move our community forward.
To see additional photos from this year’s Day of Caring, visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCUAC7