Local companies are stepping up to give back to the community.
Thursday marked the 18th United Way ‘Day of Caring’, in which London organizations took time out of their work day to volunteer. Over 420 individuals from 17 workplaces took part in this year’s edition. Among them were big names like Libro Credit Union, TD, Scotiabank, and Western University.
Karen Dalton, the interim CEO of United Way London & Middlesex, thinks that the attendees have a true passion for volunteering.
"People want to give back to the community,” Dalton says. “Some people love giving monetary donations, which we absolutely have to have to run our program. Other people want to give service to the community. And this is a perfect way for anybody who wanted to give back in service, in time, which is so valuable."
Although most of the organizations that took part are large, Dalton says that United Way will take any and all who wish to give back.
"We will take any size, we want energy, we want passion, and we want people who want to be out there, right in the thick of things, working with our community,” says Dalton.
United Way wishes to engage anyone who wants to help, and has a simple process to get involved.
"Contact the United Way office, and express an interest, and then our United Way staff take a look at who's out there, and match them up appropriately with the agency and the work that the agency needs done,” Dalton says.
The groups that have participated in the past keep coming back, according to Dalton.
"Once a group gets involved, they want to do it again. Once they have had the experience, they want to repeat it again and it just grows and grows and grows," she says.
The type of work required varies but still has a common theme.
“Every agency is different, it will be something, though physical, for that agency that needs repairing or needs sprucing up,” Dalton says. “It might be putting a garden in, it could be cleaning, it could be painting, but it’s something that will improve the work environment so that it is a really positive place for people to come to work, and clients to come to programs, and volunteers to come for support."
Dalton is impressed with the turnout each year, with every year getting “a little bit bigger and a little bit bigger," but it’s the drive and energy that the volunteers bring that never ceases to disappoint.
"I think that London and Middlesex truly cares about their community. We don't sit back and just let it happen. We mobilize, and we make things happen," Dalton says.
Those who wish to get involved in future United Way events can get more information on the agency's website.
**this story was written by Samuel Gallant. Samuel is a student in the Fanshawe College broadcast journalism program. He is performing a summer internship with Blackburn News.**
