Hershey

Day of Caring kicks off United Way campaign at Penn State Hershey

The 23rd annual Day of Caring was held on Sept. 11, with nearly 20 Penn State Hershey employees joining nearly 1,600 volunteers representing more than 76 companies. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

The 23rd annual Day of Caring was held on Sept. 11, with 17 Penn State Hershey employees joining nearly 1,600 volunteers representing more than 76 companies. This event officially kicked off the 2015 United Way campaign.

Day of Caring volunteers were assigned to 130 projects including indoor and outdoor cleanup, painting, landscaping, reading to children, organizing files and sorting donations at various charitable non-profits including the traditional health and human service agencies, arts and cultural organizations, animal welfare groups, schools and environmental agencies.

Penn State Hershey volunteers spent the day at the Hershey Gardens deadheading three acres of roses. Megan Nye from the sixth floor Medical Intensive Care Unit was one of those volunteers and has been participating in the Day of Caring for the last four years.

“It’s something I look forward to every year,” Nye said. “One year I was at a historic church in Harrisburg repainting their kitchen that they used to operate a soup kitchen. Last year I helped out at an old school in Harrisburg that was being renovated into a family center for inner city kids and their families. I can’t describe the feeling I get helping others. It is an honor to be allowed to volunteer for all these amazing organizations year after year.”

Nye says she tells every employee she can about how much fun and how rewarding it is to participate in the Day of Caring. “We all come from different departments, from housekeepers, secretaries – myself included – to higher-ups. Despite where we are from, we all don our t-shirts and get sweaty for a great cause. It reminds you to be thankful for what you have, and also is humbling. It keeps me grounded.”

While the Day of Caring is one way to support the United Way’s mission of improving lives in the community, a donation to the campaign can also make a difference. This year’s campaign for Penn State Hershey runs through Oct. 23 with a goal of raising $300,000. Click here to learn how you can make a donation.

Last Updated October 1, 2015

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