Support United Days of Caring

United Way of Southeast Missouri will kick off its annual community drive with United Days of Caring, a weekend of giving back, today. Normally, United Way works behind the scenes, investing in organizations and programs that deliver help to families and create lasting change. This year we want the communities we serve to see us at work.

At 8:30 a.m. today volunteers will meet at Capaha Park for a quick breakfast before tackling varied projects through Saturday in four counties. Volunteers will work on transitional housing, senior centers, food pantries, park cleanup and more. Others will train to become Read to Succeed volunteers who encourage young readers. Area students will write letters to first responders and senior citizens and practice random acts of kindness. Area businesses are collecting food, hygiene products and socks. We invite everyone to learn more and register for a project at www.unitedwayofsemo.org/daysofcaring.

Our weekend of giving concludes with a 9/11 ceremony Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Common Pleas Park. All singers are invited to arrive at 1 p.m. to practice patriotic songs and a piece written just for United Days of Caring. After the brief ceremony, we hope families will stay for a Community Celebration with bounce houses, lawn games, a DJ and dancing.

We encourage everyone to give, advocate, volunteer and join our fight for the health, education and financial stability of all citizens. Come support United Days of Caring and a weekend of neighbors coming together to Live United.

Elizabeth Shelton, Cape Girardeau

Executive director, United Way of Southeast Missouri