DAY OF CARING WILL BE A HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

Who cares?

United Way officials hope many people will when it comes to Wednesday's Day of Caring.

This will mark the first Day of Caring in Cape Girardeau. United Way officials don't know how many people will volunteer a half day or whole day to help out community agencies.

The goal is to get volunteers to assist United Way agencies with various projects on that day.

"What it does is build awareness for what those agencies do," said Donna Hanschen, Area Wide United Way campaign chairman.

One of those agencies is the Salvation Army.

Capt. Robert Gauthier of the Salvation Army said the Day of Caring will give people hands-on experience with community agencies.

Days of Caring programs have had success in Columbia, St. Louis, Springfield and Kansas City.

In Cape Girardeau, about 10 United Way agencies will be seeking assistance from volunteers.

The Easter Seal Society wants some work done in its play area. The Girl Scouts need some picnic tables painted.

The Family Learning Center wants volunteers to read to children.

The Salvation Army wants to improve its food pantry.

"We have 40-foot grocery store shelving which we want to put up and stock with food," said Gauthier.

"We really have no one who knows how these shelves go together."

Doug Rowe said some of his employees will be glad to assist the Salvation Army.

Rowe manages the Cape Girardeau Target store. He said his store will provide four to six volunteers.

The Target chain is active in community and volunteer efforts, including the Day of Caring in St. Louis.

"One way we can all be heroes is to give back to the community," he said.

Union Electric employees also will be among the volunteers Wednesday.

"We are a large company and I think we have an obligation to do that," said Jackie Griffith, secretary to the district manager.

"We encourage it in every way," said Griffith, who has run the utility company's United Way effort for several years.

Griffith said the Day of Caring will help people realize just how important community agencies are.

"Without those agencies, many children and adults just wouldn't have the quality of life that they have," she said.

Griffith said business backing is important for the Day of Caring.

"You have to have the backing of the company to allow the employees to take time off from their regular duties," she said.

Companies and individuals interested in participating should contact the United Way office by Monday at 334-9634.

For volunteers, the Day of Caring will begin with a breakfast at the Salvation Army building at 7:45 a.m.