Day of Caring brings out hundreds of volunteers

BOWLING GREEN Ky.- Over 1,000 volunteers in seven counties participated in the United Way Eleventh annual Day of Caring.

The Day of Caring is held by the United Way of Southern Kentucky, and it’s where the partner organizations of United Way take some time to step away from their desks to help out in the community. At Western Kentucky University, U.S. Bank came to create a fun environment for the kids at summer camps, where the kids learned more about airplanes and hot air balloons.

“The Day of Caring gives organizations like ours an opportunity to give back. The day of caring that we’ve chosen is the science of flight,” district manager of U.S. Bank Darren Woodruff said.

The kids rotated to different places on campus for each activity, and even spent some time with the WKU sports teams.

Other places that received help included the Family Enrichment Center where murals were painted to create games for the kids. The Eloise B. Houchens center also got some help in weeding.

“It’s great that they do this. United Way heads this up and sends these people out into our neighborhood to help with things that we would have to hire done, or it won’t get done,” Eloise B. Houchens Center Board President Carol Flora-Collins said.

Erin Hulsey from the City of Bowling Green Department of Human Resources said the experience of giving back is also beneficial for those who are doing the volunteer work.

“We want to be able to give back in the human resources department since that is our job. We serve the employees in the city of Bowling Green, so it’s a great opportunity to get out of the office and give back,” Hulsey said.

In the end, the Day of Caring, is a day of sharing the experience of giving.

“Every day, we’re giving back to the city. This is just one more opportunity to serve the employees. This feels good to be able to actually give back and see the community,” Hulsey said.