Rockland Companies Volunteer for United Way's Annual Day of Caring

Friday is the United Way Annual Day of Caring in which companies have their employees take the day off of work to volunteer around the community.

"The Day of Caring is the largest single day of corporate community service in Rockland County, and this year we will have over 200 volunteers from local companies, giving their time to help 16 not-for-profits here in Rockland," said April Forman, Marketing & Special Events Coordinator for United Way. "United Way of Rockland County Volunteers will be doing landscaping and painting at Visions Camp for the Blind, scrubbing pots and organizing the pantry for Meals on Wheels, painting picnic tables for Camp Venture and Building Flower beds for ARC to name just a few projects."

The day starts with a kickoff breakfast at Provident Bank Park hosted by the Town of Ramapo, Rockland Boulders and Rockland Bakery.

"We will have a small tribute to the victims and heroes of 9/11 and honor our United Way Volunteer of the Year, Donna Riley," said Forman.

"We volunteer every year," said Bonnie Werk, TD Bank Manager at the Pearl River Branch. "There's 16 of us this year that are volunteering."

The 16 TD Bank employees volunteered at the Jawonio Tech Center.

Bridge Clark is the associate director of enrollment marketing & campus communications at St. Thomas Aquinas College. She along with other STAC employees volunteered at YAI in Nanuet and Hillcrest. The YAI serves people with disabilities and their families.

"The greatest reward in volunteering for the UWRC's Day of Caring is knowing you've had an impact on the lives of your neighbors in need," said Clark. "I'm grateful that the College allows us the time to give back to the community. I look forward to this day every year."

“I am excited to be participating in this year’s Day of Caring. I am thankful to work for a not-for profit company that values community service and allows me to participate in this event each year," said Michelle Hopkins, Marketing Manager for Palisades Federal Credit Union. "It’s a great day when the community can come together to lend a helping hand to those that need it."

Palisades Federal employees are volunteering at the Visions Camp for the Blind this year. This is the fifth year Hopkins has participated in the event.

"We have our plant manager, Bill Metzger, and five other employees volunteering today," said Paige Kane, Director, External Affairs Northeast for GenOn Energy. "Also, one of our employees also has her kids volunteering as well."

GenOn employees volunteered at Cornell Cooperative.

United Water Planning Specialist Shari Gold volunteered with other United Water employees at the YMCA in Suffern.

“I always look for opportunities to volunteer in some way, whether big or small," said Gold. "I grew up in Rockland County, so  it feels great to give back to my community.”