United Way’s Annual “Day of Action” Unites 31 Local Organizations with 43 Community Service Projects Across Central Maryland

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Tammy Warner, Case Manager of the Harford County Family Stability Program joins the Harford County Partnership Board at Magnolia Elementary.
Tammy Warner, Case Manager of the Harford County Family Stability Program joins the Harford County Partnership Board at Magnolia Elementary.

 

Today, volunteer teams from 31 regional businesses, governments and organizations participated in United Way of Central Maryland’s “Day of Action,” an annual community service effort centered around education, health programs and housing & income. Volunteer opportunities requested by partner nonprofits took place across the region in an effort to connect more than 450 volunteers and community service projects committed to improving the lives of central Maryland residents. United Way’s annual “Day of Action” engages local businesses and corporations to show their support beyond financial contributions and highlights the organization’s volunteer-focused efforts. This year’s “Day of Action” served approximately 15,000 Central Marylanders who are facing poverty.

 

At Magnolia Elementary School in Harford County, a Title 1 school where more than 90% of the student body is below the poverty level, United Way of Central Maryland’s Harford County Partnership Board was on hand to give the entrance garden an overhaul. Magnolia Elementary is the site of United Way of Central Maryland’s Harford County Family Stability Program, which has, since opening in July, helped eight families avoid eviction, keeping the children in those families stable in their schools.

 

United Way of Central Maryland provides up to date volunteer opportunities on its website year round. To find out how you can go beyond Day of Action and volunteer with United Way, visit the volunteer calendar here.

 

ADDITIONAL CENTRAL MARYLAND ACTIVITIES INCLUDED:

Anne Arundel:

United Way volunteers came together at Anne Arundel County’s The Light House, an organization that helps rebuild lives by providing shelter and services to prevent homelessness and empower people as they transition toward employment, housing and self-sufficiency. The team assisted with the organization’s community lunch program and distributed bagged lunches, served hot lunches and prepared pantry bags while also helping with facility maintenance and landscaping the campus. Other volunteer locations included Sarah’s House.

Baltimore City:

Volunteers from United Way of Central Maryland’s ‘Women United’ group gathered at Baltimore City’s Benjamin Franklin High School to team up with the school’s Urban Gardening division. The Women United group supported the area school — which provides youth development, family support and local revitalization — with services such as painting the interior and revamping the campus. Sixteen non-profits, including Saint Francis Neighborhood Center, The Women’s Housing Coalition, and Civic Works Real Food Farm, provided volunteer opportunities.

 

Baltimore County:

Volunteers spent the day at Baltimore County’s Norwood Elementary School to create a parent resource center by painting, assembling furniture and decorating bulletin boards. Norwood Elementary in Dundalk is the site of United Way of Central Maryland’s newest Family Stability center which aims to empower families to become self-sufficient by focusing on the building blocks of a better life: education, employment, housing and health. Six non-profits, including PACT World of Care and Neighbor to Neighbor, provided volunteer opportunities.

 

Carroll County:

Volunteers from Care First and Sandy Springs Bank assisted Human Services Programs of Carroll County — an organization that provides assistance with basic needs for low-income, at-risk citizens of Carroll County —to winterize a community garden that feeds underserved residents.

Harford County:

Volunteers from United Way of Central Maryland’s Harford County Partnership Board came together at Magnolia Elementary School — the site of United Way of Central Maryland’s newest Family Stability center — to weed and mulch the flowerbeds and landscape the campus. United Way’s Family Stability center aims to empower families to become self-sufficient by focusing on the building blocks of a better life: education, employment, housing and health. Ten non-profits, including Harford Family House and LASOS, provided volunteer opportunities.

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