News
March 20, 2019UWGCR Announces 5.18 Day
United Way of the Greater Capital Region (UWGCR) recently announced 5.18 Day, the largest single day of community impact with more than 40 service projects scheduled to support local nonprofits in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady and Schoharie Counties. The 5.18 projects will be managed through their re-launched platform www.unitedtovolunteer.org.
“We know individuals, families, groups and companies are looking for opportunities to volunteer and support the great work of nonprofits in our community,” stated UWGCR President and CEO Peter Gannon. “5.18 Day is that opportunity. And now with unitedtovolunteer.org, there is a single, user-friendly source to find volunteer opportunities. Any nonprofit can upload their volunteer opportunities to the platform at any time of the year. For 5.18 Day, it will be the source for volunteerism. People can sign up right now for the largest single day of community impact in the Capital Region all year.”
In addition to the service projects at the nonprofit agency sites, 5.18 Day will also have a blood drive hosted by the American Red Cross and a book drive with a goal to “Stuff a CDTA bus” with 10,000 books. Local residents will be able to drive through Washington Park to the Lakehouse where volunteers will collect their book donations “curbside”. At 12:30 pm, volunteers and agencies will be welcomed to Washington Park Lakehouse for a BBQ and family-friendly celebration.
“We are proud that the City of Albany is home to this year’s 5.18 Day Thank You celebration,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. “The Washington Park Lakehouse is a beautiful place to celebrate the volunteer spirit of the Capital Region. Thank you to the United Way for leading this community-wide effort and thank you to the volunteers for their tireless commitment to our City.”
“Albany County takes great pride in its residents and their commitment to volunteerism. It’s great that the United Way has selected May 18, 5.18 Day for the entire community to unite to support our nonprofit agencies,” said Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy. “I’m looking forward to a great day of what makes our 5.18 community so special.”
Local companies are stepping up to both volunteer and sponsor the day’s activities including MVP Health Plan, Northwestern Mutual/Tronco Financial Group, Hannaford Supermarkets, CDTA and Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation.
“MVP Health Care is committed to having a positive impact on the health and wellness of all the communities that we serve” commented Ellen Sax, Senior Leader of Community Engagement. “5.18 Day will provide an opportunity for members of our community to come together to support the dozens of nonprofit agencies who day in and day out serve those most vulnerable.”
“We are thrilled to support the United Way and this effort to make a meaningful impact on dozens of local nonprofit organizations,” said Alex Tronco, Managing Partner, Northwestern Mutual – Tronco Financial Group. “Volunteers make a difference in our community every day. This is an opportunity to see what we can do, together.”
“Hannaford works hard to be a good community partner and strives to support efforts that help fight food insecurity,” said Brian Fabre, Community Relations Specialist for Hannaford Supermarkets. “Through our partnership with the United Way of the Greater Capital Region, and our participation in 5.18 Day, Hannaford associates will have an opportunity to volunteer in the community by supporting communal gardens that will play an integral part in relieving hunger for those in need. We appreciate the partnership with United Way on this tremendous community-wide day of service.”
UnitedToVolunteer.org allows users to sort volunteer opportunities by date, type of activity and/or nonprofit agency. The user also has the ability to log their volunteer hours.
Nonprofit agencies currently scheduled to receive service projects includes: Albany Can Code, Albany Community Action Partnership (ACAP), American Red Cross of Eastern New York, Arbor Park Child Care Center, Boys and Girls Club of the Capital Area, Capital Roots, CAPTAIN Community Human Services, Catholic Charities Delaware-Otsego-Schoharie, Catholic Charities Tri-County Services, City Mission of Schenectady, Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region, Equinox, Inc., Family & Child Service of Schenectady, Inc., Food Pantries for the Capital District, Homeless and Travelers Aid Society (HATAS), Hope 7 Community Center, Hospitality House, Mechanicville Area Community Services Center, Mechanicville Public Library, Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE), Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, Saratoga Senior Center, Schenectady Community Ministries, Schoharie Community Action Program (SCAP), Schoharie River Center, Social Enterprise and Training Center (SEAT), TRIP, Unity House of Troy and Wildwood Programs.
