17th Annual Youth Day of Caring Encourages Volunteerism
Nearly 200 local students participate in community service projects
United Way of Greater New Bedford’s 17th Annual Youth Day of Caring provided nearly 200 student volunteers from 6 area high schools the opportunity to volunteer at local non-profit agencies, providing them with first-hand experience in giving back to their community.
Each year, area high school students take a day out of school to assist local agencies with a wide variety of tasks such as harvesting, landscaping, stocking food pantries or spring cleaning. The initiative allows students to gain insight into the valuable role volunteerism plays in our community and help non-profits keep their costs low.
“The Youth Day of Caring is a great way for high school students to see first-hand how a little time goes a long way in helping local non-profits.” said Michelle N. Hantman, United Way President. “More importantly, it will hopefully inspire them to volunteer in the future and make service a part of their lives” she said.
Area high schools that participated were: Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, New Bedford High School, Bishop Stang High School, Fairhaven High School, Global Learning Charter Public School, Old Colony Regiona
l Vocational Technical High School and Old Rochester Regional High School.
Agencies that took part in the Youth Day of Caring were: Harbour House, Our Sisters’ School, The Trustees Of Reservations, Sister Rose’s House, The Family Pantry-Damien’s Place, YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts, Sharing The Harvest – Dartmouth YMCA, Community Nurse & Hospice Care, West End Day Nursery, Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship Society, New Bedford Whaling Museum, Schwartz Center for Children and The Salvation Army.
The full day of work by all students is valued at $15,860.
The Youth Day of Caring was made possible due to the generous support of title sponsors NSTAR and AT&T, as well as other event sponsors, including Dunkin’ Donuts, and FUN 107.
To learn more about the many volunteer opportunities available in the Greater New Bedford Area, visit www.unitedwayofgnb.org or call United Way at 508-994-9625.
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