HAGERSTOWN, Md. – As the United Way of Washington County embarks on its 33rd annual Day of Caring, it does so with more volunteers among its ranks than in previous years.
Nearly 1,100 volunteers are registered to tackle 85 projects around the county Thursday, Sept. 19.
Heather Guessford, the president and CEO of United Way of Washington County, recalls a 2023 project replaced the air conditioning in a paralyzed veteran’s home. The veteran expressed that the project made a big difference in his quality of life.
“That’s what drives us,” she said. “That’s what fills our love tank.”
With the encouragement of lead sponsor Citi, volunteers will embark on 2024’s projects that include painting, carpentry, electrical work, landscaping and more. The locations involve a mix of residential and nonprofit organizations’ properties.
Crews from Innovative Inc. will be stuffing 300 care kits for people experiencing homelessness. Each includes ponchos, hand warmers, gloves and similar products for cold weather.
“We really went all out on those,” Guessford said.
Three teams — from Volvo Powertrain North America, Washington County government and Potomac Edison — are tackling what Guessford described as “really complex, intense projects” capitalizing on the teams’ skill sets. Sheehy Automotive Group will be performing oil changes and other fleet maintenance for (prescheduled) nonprofit organizations at its service center throughout the day.
“The majority of the projects we complete are health and safety related. These residents all have barriers whether they are physical limitations or mental health, so these projects are life changing,” Guessford said.
The 2024 Day of Caring has a higher-than-average percentage of single, elderly women registered for projects, with many of them self-identifying as widows. Many of their projects involve tree trimming or other landscaping.
“They’re alone now, and they can’t do these things on their own,” Guessford said.
The new Hagerstown Flying Boxcars baseball team is taking its mascot to a field day with Head Start of Washington County. Hagerstown Community College faculty and students are joining with South Hagerstown High School students to plant 8,000 native plants and grasses in 11 bioswales.
The United Way of Washington County’s United Against Hunger program bought food in bulk. Volunteers will be shelving and serving food in food pantries across Washington County on the Day of Caring.
A 7:30 a.m. breakfast will fuel volunteers for their day ahead. United Way staff and board members will be visiting as many projects as possible Thursday to thank volunteers and get their feedback.
“Many of the volunteers say this is their favorite thing they do all year long,” Guessford said.
