United Way 'Days of Caring' approaching

Days of Caring will be held from Aug. 23 to 25. This opportunity for civic engagement is sponsored by the United Way of Southeast Missouri and the Volunteer Intergenerational Center, which pairs participants with volunteer projects at local not-for-profit organizations.

The event officially kicks off with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. Aug. 23 at the Salvation Army in Cape Girardeau. Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson and Jackson Mayor Barbara Lohr will cook the meal. Volunteers will then complete their volunteer assignment sometime during the three-day period. Opportunities to conduct "drives" -- collecting items needed by a not-for-profit for their clients or program -- are also available.

Volunteers may choose from the following projects:

• Conducting a drive for Lutheran Family and Children Services. This includes collecting 15 to 20 layettes to offer clients when their babies are born. Four or five volunteers are needed to organize the drive and ask for layette donations. Any baby equipment needs to meet current safety guidelines. Items need to be taken to 2911 Breckenridge Drive, Cape Girardeau during Days of Caring.
• Volunteering basic computer knowledge to help with computer classes at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. Three volunteers are requested for two hours each. Consider helping with basic Internet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 23; beginning MicroSoft Word from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 24 or basic Internet from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 25.
• The library needs four volunteers to paint two bathrooms at its temporary location. The job is expected to take two to three hours and the day and times are flexible during Days of Caring.
• Cleaning up a two- to three-block area of Sprigg and Elm streets Aug. 25 for the Second Missionary Baptist Church. Volunteers (as many as possible) will meet at 9 a.m. at the church, continuing until 1 p.m.
• Installing "Born Learning Trail Kit," for Success By 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 25. It involves putting stakes in ground, attaching signs to posts and painting stencil designs onto paved trail at four sites in Cape Girardeau and one in Jackson. About 25 volunteers are needed; five at each site.
• Sorting clothes and assisting customers with carrying purchases to cars from noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 25 at the The Salvation Army.
• Cutting and trimming grass in the morning Aug. 24 at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Chaffee, Mo. Volunteers must be able to operate a lawn mower and string trimmer.
• Filling the supply closet with personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, diapers and paper goods for First Call For Help to give to needy families. Volunteers are needed during daytime hours Aug. 23 and 24.
• Dusting, vacuuming floors and furniture, mopping and wiping down walls for three to four hours during Days of Caring for Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence. Three to five volunteers are needed.
• A drive for copy paper, file folders, water, soda and juices for the Multi-Disciplinary Team (law enforcement, Missouri Children's Division, Juvenile Office, etc.) Aug. 23 and 24. Items may be dropped off or picked up by agency.
• Bathing and grooming cats or dogs at the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 23 and 24. Two volunteers are needed.
• Possible home construction (contingent upon weather and status of homes under construction) for Habitat for Humanity; stocking, cleaning, organizing, establishing or updating computer Web site information at ReStore, 117 N. Middle St., Cape Girardeau. Five to 10 volunteers needed any time during Days of Caring.

For more information and to obtain forms to participate, contact Tina or Darlene at the Volunteer Center at 335-7555 or Nancy or Amy at the United Way at 334-9634.