United Way to hold 10th annual 'Day of Caring'

By Kim Walter -- kwalter@nvdaily.com

FRONT ROYAL -- The Front Royal-Warren County United Way is holding its 10th annual Day of Caring on Friday.

The event begins at 8 a.m., where volunteers will gather and then be assigned to specific jobs in the county.

So far, 120 volunteers have signed up to complete work at 25 homes, said Lee Osina, Executive Director of the county's United Way organization.

Some individuals signed up and formed teams beforehand, but others will be randomly assigned to sites where there is need.

"These are not necessarily skilled jobs, since we have volunteers. It's stuff like yard work, painting, cleaning and some hauling," Osina said.

People who qualified have hardships like disabilities or low income. Osina said that every year, the organization tries to reach out to new individuals.

Teams will leave from the Family Land Shelter in Front Royal at 9 a.m., but Osina said that even if interested citizens haven't signed up before that morning, they can show up and will be assigned to a job site.

At the end of the day, participants are invited to attend an awards celebration and dinner.

"[The Day of Caring] is a wonderful opportunity to get to know how we work, and it's just a really fun day," Osina said.

"The general reaction from volunteers is one, I'm glad I did it, and two, I had no idea," he added, in reference to the amount of need in Warren County.

"It's all about building community feeling and community spirit," said Osina.

To find out more about the Day of Caring in Warren County, call the United Way at 635-3636 or go to www.frontroyalunitedway.org.