Food and clothing drive to highlight Community Care Day For Immediate Release September 9, 2004

215 volunteers, 129 community service projects, one single day. The United Way of Union County's annual Community Care Day, presented by Honda and Scotts, is set for Tuesday. It figures to be the largest with the most workers and most ambitious to-do list in the eight-year history of the event. Even those who have not pre-registered to volunteer can participate with the event this year. That's because one of the projects will be a city-wide food and school clothes drive to benefit the Marysville Food Pantry and the Marysville Clothes Closet. United Way is asking that residents look through their shelves and closets tonight to see if they can make a donation. Those living within the city limits of Marysville can leave non-perishable food items and gently used school clothes in a plastic bag at their front door before 9:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. A crew of volunteers will be going up and down the streets picking them up and sorting them for these two organizations. Those living outside the city limits can drop off donations at the Catholic Community Center (1033 W. 5th St.) anytime between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Tuesday. The Food Pantry is in need of staples such as peanut butter, hamburger helper, spaghetti sauce, canned fruit, and canned vegetables. The Food Pantry is moving to its new location on Ash Street and this will be a great opportunity to help them stock their shelves. The Clothes Closet desires gently used, wearable items, including sweaters. Baby clothes are also in high demand. Community Care Day began in Union County eight years ago as a way for United Way to kickoff its annual fundraising campaign. It has since evolved into an annual day of caring that embodies the true spirit of volunteerism. Last year, 140 volunteers completed 74 social service projects. Traditional projects, such as yard work and housekeeping at the homes of area senior citizens, are still on the schedule. Larger group projects at the Marysville Public Library, the Richwood Park, the Union County Humane Society, UCATS, the Gables at Green Pastures, and the Richwood Civic Center are also on the list. The jobs will be completed by individuals or groups from 36 area employers, many of whom allow their workers to take a day off with pay to participate. The volunteers will gather for complimentary breakfast at 7:45 a.m. at the Catholic Community Center in Marysville before spreading throughout Union County to complete their work. T-shirts and lunch are provided to all volunteers. The entire event is paid for through generous corporate donations from Honda and Scotts.