Day of Caring offers gift of time; Volunteers welcome for today's activities.

Byline: Paula J. Owen

FITCHBURG - For people who have a few extra hours to spare today, they can still volunteer for the United Way's 14th Annual Day of Caring .

The United Way of North Central Massachusetts in Fitchburg expects hundreds of volunteers to come out and help with projects in their communities, but there are never enough volunteers, said William A. White, one of the event's organizers.

"We're encouraging folks to come on out and help out," Mr. White said. "There is painting, yard work, stocking of food pantries, cleaning, apple picking ... there is truly a job for everyone."

Connie G. Hundt, director of resource development at the United Way's North Central office, said it is the largest Day of Caring event in the state, with projects set up in 19 towns and cities.

Last year, 1,500 volunteers got involved, including schoolchildren helping out with projects at their schools, she said.

Volunteers were to meet at the Four Points Sheraton in Leominster at 8 a.m. for a big breakfast at 9 a.m., Ms. Hundt said, before getting sent out to their assigned projects. The day wraps up at Saima Park at 3 p.m., she said, with a barbecue with raffles and approximately 30 door prizes, including a new laptop computer. Each volunteer will also get a T-shirt.

Mr. White said people finding they have some unexpected time to give today can call [phone] or visit the Web site, www.uwncm.org, to help.

The projects are set up at nonprofit health and human services agencies that need help with tasks that don't get done because of financial or personnel constraints.

The agency sends out notices to nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies, Mr. White said, asking them for a scope of the work they need done. He said 95 percent of the projects go up on the Web site. The United Way matches volunteers' skills with the projects, he said, so people who are not comfortable with painting or yardwork can read to children or help stock food pantries.

"The volunteers tell us every single year they get more out of it than they give," he said. "It is a great experience."

Richard D. Palmer, chairperson of the event's committee and executive director of the YMCA, said volunteers are revitalized by the event.

He said the United Way partners with employers to give volunteers the day off to help out.

"Employers love it, too," he said. "It revitalizes their employees and gives them a sense of belonging to the community."

In past years, projects completed by people volunteering at the YMCA included cleaning up the playground, painting the preschool area and repairs to the camp, he said.

"Volunteering is so important to the community," Mr. Palmer said. "It gives people exposure to the area and its agencies and the work they are doing for people. It's an eye-opening experience for anyone volunteering."

A total of 53 projects are listed on the United Way's Web site, Mr. White said, including cleanups and painting in Fitchburg at Cogshall Park, Burbank Child Development Center and on Elm Street for the Twin Cities Community Development Corp.; in Leominster at the Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network and the Spanish American Center; and painting and yardwork at the House of Peace and Education in Gardner.

ART: PHOTOS

PHOTOG: (1) T&G File Photo/RICK CINCLAIR; (2) T&G File Photo/ED COLLIER

CUTLINE: (1) Linda Gallant from IC Federal Credit Union and other volunteers clean an attic at North Central Charter Essential School in Fitchburg during last year's United Way Day of Caring. (2) Heather Sarasin of Ashburnham, left, and Cecile Russo of Fitchburg clean up brush and debris from the Johnny Appleseed birthplace in Leominster during a previous United Way Day of Caring.