United Way Needs VolunteersFor Day of Caring on Sept. 11

Volunteers, especially those with carpentry skills, are needed for the 15th Day of Caring of the United Way of Horry County. The annual event starts the United Way fund-raising drive for 40-plus nonprofits serving tens of thousands of residents.

Day of Caring is on Sept. 11 and the date has special meaning for United Way volunteer Esther Murphy who had worked in the World Trade Center in New York. Murphy was a Day of Caring volunteer in 2001. This year, she will share her feelings about helping care for others at the 8 a.m. breakfast at the Carolina Forest Recreation Center.

“We have projects all over the county; a lot of painting this year, as well as some office work for those who prefer it, and a whole lot of other things, too.,” says Tracy Lee Vreeland, marketing and communications coordinator. She is hoping for 300 volunteers and has close to 200. A typical turnout of Day of Caring volunteers is about 300. Friday is the deadline for applications. “I need construction workers, carpenters for the most part.”

About a dozen projects will be done Sept. 11, including cleaning and painting and helping with a party for Horry County Disabilities and Special Needs people. Ocean Lakes Campground is again sponsoring the party. Vreeland notes that many volunteers offer to help at the party once they have served as volunteers.

Santee-Cooper adopts a project every year and this year 80 to 100 volunteers at the utility will finish a second floor room at the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club in Conway. Baldwin Construction of North Myrtle Beach will install metal studs, sheetrock and flooring in the room. Santee Cooper volunteers will do the painting and also will paint the Salvation Army Fellowship Hall.

Members of the United Way Community Outreach Council will come to the United Way office in Conway to start making campaign phone calls. Day of Caring is the kickoff of the campaign, which for the second year will start with a 90-day blitz, from Sept. 11 to Dec. 11. The blitz last year raised significant contributions and put the campaign in a good position going into the holidays.

For the first time in several years, the United Way of Horry County made its $1.275 million goal for 2014-15. Prior to the national economic downturn following the recession of 2008, the United Way had raised $1,491,000 (over the goal of $1.475 million). The United Way board has modestly increased the goal for the 2015-16 campaign to $1.3 million.

Day of Caring volunteers are asked to complete their applications and waiver forms by Friday. Vreeland says “we’re ordering some cool shirts and we want to make sure you’re counted.” Day of Caring volunteers will receive project assignments a week prior to Sept. 11.

The breakfast at Carolina Forest Recreation Center is sponsored by McLeod Loris Seacoast, South Atlantic Bank and Eggs Up Grill. After work on the projects, volunteers return to the recreation center for luncheon provided by Grand Strand Medical Center.

Serving as a Day of Caring volunteer is a meaningful way to help care for our neighbors and more help is needed. Applications may be completed online.

This story was originally published August 25, 2015 at 3:51 PM with the headline "United Way Needs VolunteersFor Day of Caring on Sept. 11."