Looking for something to do?
Look now further than the United Way's upcoming Day of Caring, set this year for Thursday, Sept. 9, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Now its fourth iteration in Bonner County, the Day of Caring has featured more projects some years and fewer in others, depending on the needs and number of available volunteers.
"So I think we're trying, rather than have a goal of a number, try to make sure we're thorough and finding people that need our help [so] I think it's going to be a moving target every year," said Jack Dyck, United Way board member for the area.
The Day of Caring is a one-day event where volunteer teams from local businesses — as well as individuals looking to make a difference — are matched up with local non-profits and those in need.
Now in its 13th year overall, the event provides an opportunity for corporate teams, community groups, families, and individuals to experience and contribute to the essential work done by nonprofits on a daily basis, Dyck said.
While some businesses put together teams of employees, you don’t need to be connected to a business to be a part of 2021’s Day of Caring — you just have to want to help others. In fact, Dyck and Hensel said everyone is welcome and the more folks who turn out to help, the more projects that can be done in the community.
In past years, projects have been done at places such as Mountain State Head Start, Kinderhaven and the Sandpoint Senior Center. Everything from landscaping to painting has been done — it all depends on what the nonprofit or individual needs. Once the requests have been submitted, Day of Caring volunteers and United Way members turn around and work to find volunteers to make them happen.
For parking lot work at the senior center, he turned to Peak Sand and Gravel and Interstate, which "stepped up in a big way" and completely redid the parking lot, Dyck said. In another case, a team from Kochava turned out to help the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint and knocked down a couple of walls to help them get ready for their new theater.
And in yet another case, the scope of landscaping at Kinderhaven meant the project couldn't be completed in one day. So the team headed back to the children's facility the following two weekends to complete the project.
"There've been really cool projects that are going to be long-lasting benefits," Dyck said.
In addition to those helped in the past, the group is also looking for any nonprofit with projects that they don't have the time, staffing or expertise to tackle and individuals who might need a helping hand.
In fact, Dyck said one of his favorite projects from a recent Day of Caring was a couple who needed the skirting fixed around their home as well as some plumbing and minor electrical work.
"It was a one day project that they plumbed everything, put the skirting on and got the water turned back on and it was a life changer," Dyck said. "And so we're trying to find those kinds of projects also."
While the pair have reached out to local churches, which often help members of their congregations other than their own, Dyck said he is seeking the community's help to identify individuals who might need a project or two done at their home.
"It's those individual ones that I become obsessed with," Dyck said. "How do we find people that are already here that need us?"
Dyck said there really isn't a limit on what a project can entail — it's just a matter of finding qualified volunteers able to do that work.
"So I would say there's really, I mean, it's true there's a limit but so far, we haven't seen that," he said.
What the pair said what they don't want any projects that have to be turned down because enough volunteers couldn't be found.
Nonprofits and individuals needing assistance should contact Hensel by Aug. 20 to give the United Way enough time to match the project with volunteers. Volunteers interested in helping out should sign up sooner rather than later so they can be matched to a project.
"I think what I like about this, because this is my first time-ever doing this, is the fact that you know, you're allowing the nonprofits and the businesses to collaborate together," Hensel said. "And so it's familiarizing the community with the nonprofits in the area and what they do and their needs and how they can help them in the future."
Businesses interested in helping out can contact Jack Dyck at jdyck3221@gmail.com or by phone at 208-290-6840. Nonprofits and volunteers, can contact Sara Hensel at the Community Resource EnVision Center at sara@crecIdaho.com or by phone 208-920-1840.
Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.
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Volunteers, projects sought for Day of Caring - Bonner County Daily Bee
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