United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) is now accepting volunteers ages five to 25 for the 17th Annual Youth Day of Caring. This two-day event is held in celebration of Global Youth Service Day, and allows youth to participate in different volunteer projects across Central Indiana.
This year’s event takes place on April 15, from 9 a.m. to noon or 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and April 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Individuals and groups are welcome, and volunteers may participate on one or both days.
Youth will be matched with service projects at United Way agencies and other community partners located in Marion, Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks and Morgan counties. Groups have the option to create a project, but must register the idea when they sign up and before the deadline.
“Volunteering gives young people a chance to develop new social skills, responsibility and empathy for others and promote healthy choices,” said Tiffany Dow, United Way’s manager of volunteer coordination and placement. “It allows them to do something to help advance the common good during a time of such great need.”
Last year, more than 4,200 volunteer groups from schools, faith-based and youth organizations participated in Youth Day of Caring, completing 67 projects for nonprofit organizations. Past projects have included painting, neighborhood beautification, cleaning, reading to children and visiting senior citizens.
So far, two scheduled projects include sorting donated clothing at the Julian Center’s Thrifty Threads thrift store, and completing landscape beautification at Bosma Enterprises.
UWCI hopes to have 4, 500 youth participate this year. The deadline for volunteer registration is March 25.
For more information, call Tiffany Dow at (317) 921-1385, e-mail tiffany.dow@uwci.org or visit www.uwci.org.
