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Day of Caring on Friday
Annual kickoff for United Way campaign
6 Day of Caring pic2
Buffie Henson, Jay Sessions and Bill Mahaffey, joined Suzanne Franklin, second from left, who donated dozens of daylilies to plant at Rock Creek Sports Complex last year. - photo by File photos Dawson Community News

This Friday will be casual for several local businessmen and women as they dress down and get their hands dirty for a Day of Caring.

  

Day of Caring is United Way for Dawson County’s annual project that jumpstarts the organization’s campaign fundraiser.

  

At least 40 volunteers from area businesses will meet for breakfast Friday morning and then head out to local organizations, like the Dawson County Senior Center, Abba House, the humane society, Head Start and various others to assist with needed projects.

  

Chris Gaines, board member of United Way, says he is encouraged by the large number of volunteers this year.

  

“The years that money and nonprofit organizations are needed the most are the years in which funds are the hardest to raise,” Gaines said. “It is great to see so many people willing to give their time to help others.”

  

Last year, volunteers spent the morning cleaning kennels at the Dawson County Humane Society, planting flowers at Rock Creek Park and peeling apples for the Dawson County Senior Center, to name a few.

  

One group also lent a hand in painting a shed for a local single foster mother, who was appreciative of the help and said it would have taken her a week’s time to do what the volunteers did in a few hours.

  

“We would like to thank all of our volunteers who are taking off from work on Friday to give back to the community and participating in our Day of Caring,” said board member Jay Sessions. “The funds raised in Dawson County stay in the county and benefit Dawson County residents.”

  

Sessions added that United Way allocates the funds raised to organizations such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Family Connection and the Department of Family and Children Services. Allocation recipients are considered early each year and distributed throughout the year.

  

A celebration campaign kickoff and luncheon will be held at 11 a.m.Friday, at city hall, at which time the board will announce this year’s fundraising goal. All Day of Caring volunteers are invited to the luncheon.

  

For more information, call Chris Gaines at (706) 265-2070.