WHAT

In today’s tight economic times, people are donating hours as well as dollars. More than 2,000 volunteers from Bay area companies come together next Thursday in the largest single day of volunteer activity all year.  Organized by the United Way of Tampa Bay, they’ll descend on social service agencies to paint, mulch, clean, sort food and provide other much needed help to agencies who otherwise would not be able to afford the service.

WHEN

Thursday, October 16, 2008.  Best photo opportunities: 10:00 to 12 noon.  Work begins at 9:00 a.m. and concludes at 2:00 p.m.

WHO

United Way of Tampa Bay and teams from more than 88 local companies including Publix, Aegon, Allstate, Cities of Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Temple Terrace, Mosaic, Moffit Cancer Center, Macy’s and hundreds of HandsOn Tampa Bay volunteers to assist local non-profits at nearly 150 locations with a variety of needs.

WHY

Day of Caring is a day for area employees to help our community with one of their greatest resources – their time. Most Day of Caring workplace teams also participate in the annual United Way Workplace Giving Campaign – where people can help their community through monetary contributions. Both avenues considerably help the Tampa Bay community.

WHERE

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY LOCATIONS:

• Sulphur Springs Boys & Girls Club and Sulfur Springs Elementary, 8608 N. 12th Street, Tampa: 30  Moffitt Cancer Center emoloyees will beautify the Boys & Girls Club; 110 Time Customer Service employees  will paint and landscape the school.

Betty Tribble, United Way of Tampa Bay Vice President of Volunteer Services, will be available for interviews at Sulfur Springs Elementary from 10:00 – 12 noon.  Contact Betty by cell at 813.928.7458.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY LOCATIONS CONTINUED:

• The Children’s Home, 10909 Memorial Hwy, Tampa: 102 volunteers will clean, paint, shelve books, refinish furniture and otherwise refurbish the Home.

• Metropolitan Ministries, 2002 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa: 20 Tech Data employees will set up computers and wiring at the holiday center, enabling Metropolitan Ministries to better serve 25,000 holiday meals.
  
  

PINELLAS COUNTY LOCATIONS:

• RCS Food Bank, 700 Druid Rd., Clearwater:  20 employees from the City of Clearwater will sort food, assist clients and repave the parking lot.

• Girls Inc. of Pinellas,  7700 61^st St. North, Pinellas Park:  67 employees from Publix and Allstate Insurance will garden, clean, paint and wallpaper.

• Community Preschool, 1665 25^th Ave. N., St. Petersburg:  64 employees of Aegon and Bank of America will paint, landscape and refurbish furniture.