On September 12, over 500 dedicated volunteers offered their time and talents to contribute to 20 different organizations, successfully completing nearly 60 impactful projects throughout the community.

This remarkable effort was all part of United Way of Central Iowa's Day of Action, the largest day of volunteer service in the region. With the support from United Way of Central Iowa's corporate and nonprofit partners, as well as the dedication from the Day of Action volunteers, we united to advance our mission of – improving lives by uniting the caring power of our community.

 
“United Way of Central Iowa is celebrating our 30th year of Day of Action as this is an important event for our organization and our community. Volunteering allows individuals to become more intimately aware of the challenges people in our community face. On Day of Action, it’s also a way for our company partners to encourage their employees to get engaged in addressing these challenges. Of course, the biggest benefit is for our nonprofit partners and local schools to receive the critical support they need.”
– Mary Sellers, President, United Way of Central Iowa

 

Day of Action Highlights 

On Day of Action, our nonprofit partners team up with corporate and community volunteers to accomplish projects both big and small. Throughout this one day, volunteers worked on nearly 60 projects ranging from reading with third graders to cleaning and beautifying community safe spaces. With projects for groups of different sizes, interests, and skill sets, volunteers can select a project and a United Way partner that complements their team and their goals. Volunteers go home knowing they made a difference in the lives of their neighbors in need.

Watch the Impact Video   See Volunteers in Action

With help from Joy Talmon, Volunteer Engagement Officer for United Way of Central Iowa, we estimated that volunteers gave more than 1,600 hours total, allowing Day of Action to have generated nearly $45,000 in economic impact for the nonprofit organizations and schools that participated this year.

“Volunteering is one way a person can create immediate impact in our community. Over the last 30 years United Way of Central Iowa has engaged nearly 70,000 volunteers, amounting to over 200,000 hours of supporting our community. It’s our hope that Day of Action inspires people to continue to volunteer throughout the year. Volunteers provide critical support and help build capacity for our nonprofit partners and schools, meaning more resources and services for those in our community.” 
–Joy Talmon, Volunteer Engagement Officer, United Way of Central Iowa
 
Day of Action is traditionally the second Tuesday of September every year. But nonprofits in our community need your support all year long. Find a variety of opportunities and ways for you to get involved in the community on United Way of Central Iowa’s Central Iowa Volunteer Hub at volunteer.unitedwaydm.org, or by following the button below.
I Want to Find Volunteer Opportunities

Topics: Volunteer, Day of Action

Joy Talmon

Written by Joy Talmon

Joy Talmon is the Volunteer Engagement Officer for United Way of Central Iowa.

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