In some people’s eyes, the summer solstice doesn’t mean much, just daylight for a few extra minutes making it the longest day of the year. For United Way of Gloucester County, the summer solstice marks an annual event in the community – the “Day of Action.”
On June 20, United Way of Gloucester County and the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce are partnering to bring back last year’s event that gave community members a chance to rally together to improve the place they call home. This year’s “Day of Action” will have morning and afternoon sessions available.
The morning session is located at the Girl Scouts Camp Sacajawea on Victoria Avenue in Newfield. From 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. are networking and breakfast before, people head to the project locations at 8:30. The projects begin at 9 a.m.
Some examples of projects residents can sign up for are painting at Camp Sacajawea or making trauma kits for the Center for Family Services in Newfield, which will be done at Camp Sacajawea. For a full list of morning volunteer opportunities, visit the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce website gc-chamber.com.
The afternoon session begins at the Arc Gloucester Camp Sun N Fun located on North Tuckahoe Road in Williamstown. From noon to 1 p.m. are networking and lunch before projects begin at 1:30 p.m.
Volunteer opportunities in the afternoon include painting and gardening at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Gloucester County, beautifying and cleaning up the Eleanor Corbett House in Glassboro, setting up the sensory garden at Camp Sun N Fun, weeding the pool garden at Camp Sun N Fun and clearing the nature trail at Camp Sun N Fun. For a complete list of afternoon volunteer opportunities, visit gc-chamber.com.
Registration for the “Day of Action” can be found on gc-chamber.com as well. There is a $5 fee to sign up but, according to Margie Brining, director of donor and agency relations for United Way of Gloucester County, the $5 donation goes toward a T-shirt that is given to the volunteers. For a team of 12, the fee is an even $50.
The event is only in its second year, which means there is plenty of room for growth, an exciting aspect of planning the event for Brining.
“We would like to eventually have a project in every municipality in the county,” she said. “Now we have projects where nonprofit partners have a need.”
The annual event is set up to bring the community together. Be it professionals or students, young or old there, are opportunities aplenty to make a difference at the local level, which is something United Way of Gloucester County hangs its hat on.
“Volunteerism is one of our pillars at United Way of Gloucester County. Volunteers are what hold up our organization,” Brining said. “Gloucester County and its residents are very giving. It’s important to have opportunities available where people can volunteer in areas that are important to them.”
For more information about United Way of Gloucester County, visiy uwgcnj.org. Registration for the “Day of Action” can be completed online at uwgcnj.org or gc-chamber.com.
