United Way Northwest Indiana brings back Day of Caring event, with over 650 volunteers offering their support throughout the Region

On the morning of August 1, United Way Northwest Indiana hosted its 29th annual Day of Caring event. Over 650 volunteers from throughout the community worked together on over 80 volunteer projects throughout the Region. This was the first installment of the Day of Caring event to take place since the program was put on hiatus in 2022. The day began with kick-off breakfast at Avalon Manor in Merrillville, energizing everyone for the day’s activities. Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) served as the presenting sponsor of this year’s Day of Caring, while The Times Media Company, Kathryn and Stewart McMillan on behalf of the MAAC Foundation, and First Merchants Bank were among the supporting sponsors.

The kickoff breakfast featured remarks from United Way Northwest Indiana President and CEO Chris White, United Way Northwest Indiana Volunteer Resource Director Evelyn Harris, Mayor of Gary Eddie Melton, and Calumet Township Trustee Tai Adkins. During his remarks, White reaffirmed United Way’s commitment to supporting the community however possible and highlighted some of the organization’s successes over the past months. He also announced the relaunch of United Way’s volunteer resource database. This resource will enable United Way to establish a network of volunteers who can be called upon to lend their services whenever they are needed.

Accepting his current role as President and CEO in January of this year, this is White’s first-ever Day of Caring. He is quite pleased with the turnout and looks forward to the impact that the day’s events will have on the community.

“This Day of Caring is an announcement that we’re back and we’re the Region’s United Way, ready to serve them,” White said. “We want to be a broad-reaching organization that addresses a variety of issues, and we’ll support the community however it needs us to. To have so many prominent community leaders and elected officials here today indicates that these individuals understand the role that our organization plays in the community. It’s clear that they support us. I am grateful to be in a position where I can start addressing many of the issues my editorial colleagues at the Northwest Indiana Times identified over the years. The deeper I get into this role, the more I feel that everything I’ve done in life has led me right here.”

During the breakfast, the volunteers received temporary United Way tattoos, chatted with one other, participated in a line dance tutorial, and entered raffles for top-tier prizes like a Michael Kors bag set, a tailgate kit, a Shady Creek Winery gift basket, and vouchers for a trip to Evexia Salt Cave and Spa in Chesterton. The highlight of the morning was a surprise visit from none other than Tommy Hawk, the mascot of the Chicago Blackhawks. His wacky and mischievous antics put a smile on many faces!

After the kickoff breakfast concluded, the attendees dispersed to their respective volunteer sites, donning bright yellow t-shirts with the slogan “United Is the Way.” One group of volunteers, primarily employees of NIPSCO and the Calumet Township Trustee’s office, went to the Boys & Girls Club location in Gary to lend their time and talents. While there, they took a tour of the facility, helped the young club members with crafts and educational projects, stuffed backpacks with informational materials, and served a hotdog lunch to the kids.

Sherita Smith, Human Resources Manager at the Calumet Township Trustee’s Office and a Day of Caring volunteer, used to serve as a board member for the United Way Northwest Indiana’s Day of Caring several years ago. She appreciates the opportunity to volunteer at the Gary Boys & Girls Club, which happens to operate out of the building that was once Sherita Smith’s alma mater, Tolleston High School.

“There are so many people in need,” Sherita Smith said. “During my time at the Calumet Township Trustee’s office, I’ve found that it can be difficult for people to admit that they need help and to ask for it. To be able to give back and help individuals who don’t necessarily ask for help puts you in a different frame of mind. When our trustee, Tai Adkins, told us that there was an opportunity to volunteer with United Way, I jumped right on it. I have a good history with them and there’s no better feeling than helping bring a smile to someone else’s face through volunteer work.”

Another group of volunteers traveled out to Mental Health America’s location in Valparaiso to help clean the facility grounds. George Smith, independent insurance adjuster and Day of Caring volunteer, joined his fellow volunteers to help clean up the building’s exterior. Although his wife, a Mental Health America employee, was unable to assist with the cleanup project, George Smith remains no less determined to see the work through.

“I believe that the people who use this facility would want it to look nice,” George Smith said. “Every building needs constant upkeep and this location hasn’t gotten any in a while. That’s why we’re out here today getting rid of the weeds and garbage. Our goal is to beautify the exterior so that the people who use the facility can enjoy it and feel better when they come over.”

Scott Casbon, market president for First Merchants Bank, was another Day of Caring volunteer who helped out with the Mental Health America cleanup project.

“Volunteering is part of what a member of a community does,” Casbon said. “They find ways to give back, help move things forward, and improve their community as a whole. Whatever helps the individual, helps everybody overall. Volunteering is a part of our mission at First Merchants Bank. This is what we do. We help our communities prosper and this cleanup project is just another demonstration of that.”

For more information on United Way Northwest Indiana’s resources, services, and upcoming events, please visit unitedwaynwi.org.