United Way prepares for kick-off breakfast, campaign

The United Way of Putnam County will kick-off its 2007-08 Annual Campaign with breakfast at 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at the Walden Inn and Conference Center, 2 W. Seminary St., Greencastle.

This year's breakfast will be special, noted Executive Director Cathryn Ensley, as it will also kick-off the First Annual Day of Caring in Putnam County. Day of Caring is a traditional United Way event that connects individual volunteers, church and school groups, and local businesses with participating nonprofit human service agencies to work on one-time service projects.

Ensley said, "United Way is about much more than fund-raising, making the Day of Caring event a logical tie-in with United Way. Not only do the non-profit agencies in our community need financial support, they need volunteers as well. We are happy to help connect agencies with all available resources to help them meet the needs of this community."

Board of Directors President Josh Richardson said, "In talking with other United Ways, we realized how important it was to start the Day of Caring in Putnam County. Day of Caring not only helps nonprofits, but it has also reinforced the spirit and value of volunteerism in other communities. Participants reported leaving the project feeling energized and inspired."

Kick-off breakfast table sponsorships are available for $100 and individual tickets are available for $15. Following the hour-long breakfast, volunteers will begin work on their assigned projects.

"We are really excited about the Day of Caring," concluded Ensley. "Hopefully it will propel us well on our way toward an outstanding, record-setting Annual Campaign."

Individual volunteers and volunteer teams are asked to indicate their interest in participating by contacting the United Way office. Nonprofits should submit a Day of Caring project request by Aug. 31, to ensure they can be matched.

To get further information, including breakfast sponsorships and tickets, contact the United Way at (765) 653-5638 or unitedway@airhop.com.