More than 1,600 volunteers representing an array of companies, unions and organizations throughout Scott and Rock Island counties rolled up the sleeves to make the Quad Cities a better place on Thursday.
During this year’s Day of Caring, presented in partnership with University of Iowa Health Care, volunteers painted, pruned and power washed at 100 locations throughout the Quad Cities. One-by-one at each park, library, school, care center and historic site, volunteers breathed new life into these facilities for the summer months and to better serve local kids and families.
“Uniting people, organizations and resources to bring about much-needed change is our super power,” said Marci Zogg, United Way Quad Cities’ Vice President of Community Impact. “Our hearts are full because of our talented and committed friends and business partners — who dedicated their mornings and afternoons to truly make our community shine today.”
“We’re particularly grateful to the dozens of nonprofits and agencies who have teamed up with us for Day of Caring to host projects to serve our neighbors for months to come. You treated our volunteers like rock stars,” Zogg added.
This year’s Day of Caring, held during National Volunteer Week, notched a post-COVID milestone with the highest volunteer turnout in five years.
“We’re proud to stand alongside the United Way QC and 1,600 caring residents who volunteered,” said Jackie Kleppe, Director of Outreach and Engagement, University of Iowa Health Care. “The energy and enthusiasm of Day of Caring volunteers reminds us of the incredible impact we can make when we work together.”
The projects included painting, cleaning, landscaping, building or repairing, at schools, parks, nonprofits and other sites across the area. Projects were designed to make a lasting impact for the families, students and individuals served by each participating location.
Since 2005, United Way QC’s Day of Caring has registered over 31,700 volunteers who have tallied more than $3.1M worth of volunteer hours and impact to the Quad Cities, using Independent Sector’s estimates.
To find more opportunities to volunteer in the Quad Cities, visit our Volunteer Hub or call 563-355-4310.
Registration is now open for the Day of Caring. The all-day volunteer blitz takes place Thursday, April 25, all across Scott and Rock Island Counties.
