31st annual United Way Day of Caring in North Central Mass.

FITCHBURG — United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM) celebrated its 31st annual Day of Caring on Sept. 18, bringing together 564 volunteers for 43 projects benefiting 39 local agencies throughout the region.

The day began with breakfast at Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg and concluded with a thank-you barbecue at the Polish American Citizens Club in Gardner. Volunteers completed projects ranging from landscaping and painting to cleanups and other hands-on improvements and their work provided valuable support to local organizations while creating meaningful connections between businesses, volunteers, and the communities they serve.

The yearly Day of Caring gives participating organizations an opportunity to complete projects they may not otherwise have the time, resources, or staff capacity to tackle. It also provides local businesses and their employees with a meaningful way to give back to the communities where they live and work.

“When we come together in service, we are stronger, more joyful, and more united as a community,” UWNCM President and CEO Kory Eng said. “I’d like to thank our volunteers, planning committee, and sponsors for making this day a success.”

At St. Mark’s Church in Leominster, volunteers worked alongside church members to complete several projects in their food pantry, community house, and throughout the property.

“We are sincerely grateful for the support of United Way and the volunteers who participated in Day of Caring,” said St. Mark’s Junior Warden Chris Sousa. “The collaborative efforts of our members and volunteers allowed us to successfully complete our primary project while also taking on several additional landscaping projects. Their hard work and support made a tremendous difference and helped make the day a success.”

For the volunteers who participated in projects from Harvard to Athol and everywhere in between, the day was an opportunity to work together, give back, and see the impact their efforts could have in the community. Tessa Poirier, who volunteered at Johnny Appleseed School in Leominster, shared that their team worked together to prepare a garden bed for students.

“Hearing the kids laughing and learning inside was a great reminder of who we were giving our time to and who would benefit from our work,” the Lunenburg resident said. “This is my fifth year volunteering with the Day of Caring, and I am always overwhelmed with gratitude as hundreds of people come together on one day to have a positive impact on our community. You can’t spell community without unity!”

The 31st annual Day of Caring demonstrated the impact that can happen when local businesses, nonprofits, volunteers, and community members come together with a shared commitment to strengthening North Central Massachusetts.

United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Pepperell, Lunenburg, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster, and Winchendon.