On Thursday, September 17, hundreds of corporate volunteers, campaign coordinators, nonprofit leaders and United Way board members will descend upon the Sheboygan A’s Ballpark to help kick off this year’s annual United Way campaign, and then head out into the community to tackle over 25 service projects throughout the county.

The campaign kickoff will feature our campaign chair and Aurora Sheboygan President, Dave Graebner, who will have inspiring words for all. I won’t elaborate too much because you will hear much more from Dave in a few weeks when this column is turned over to him.

We have a big surprise in store during our kick-off, the introduction of the United Way of Sheboygan County Business Champions. Trust me when I say, this group of six businesses; Johnsonville,  Kohler, Plastics Engineering, Rockline, Sargento and Vollrath, has taken on a completely unique form. I’ll just let that settle in a bit and you can consider it a clue.

Then onto the Day of Caring festivities. Currently we have over 25 projects that will require the services of more than 350 volunteers. Projects range from conservation land clean up, to painting, to planting, to building and to installing. We are thrilled to have so many engaged corporations that are allowing associates time off on this day to go out and make a difference in the community.

But, why is it important? Who is really the beneficiary?  I would argue that we are ALL the beneficiary. When we can live in a community where people care about each other, we all win. If we can inspire area employers to give their employees paid time off to volunteer, we all win. If we can help strengthen our nonprofit community by encouraging volunteerism, we all win and when we can encourage the path of giving back and help people great about themselves, we all win.

It’s less about what we can do individually or for just one person- although that is important. But collectively, it’s about coming together with a common goal that benefits all. This is exactly what Day of Caring is about. It’s more than the hard work. It’s more than the project. It’s a prime example of the power of many and a showing of the true strength in numbers. 

On September 17, over 350 people will come together to do one thing. That one thing is the most important of all…. care.  It’s the day when passion meets purpose and transformations happen both on project sites and inside our souls. 

We are truly grateful to the following sponsors thus far: Aurora Healthcare, BMO Harris, HSA Bank, Kohler Company, Muth Mirror Systems, Johnsonville, Plymouth Foam, Sargento, and Vollrath. Without their financial support and generosity in allowing their employees to volunteer on this day, we couldn’t make it happen. We are also thankful to the Sheboygan A’s for allowing us to take over their ballpark for this important event.

During the first few weeks of August, we will be finalizing our projects and matching them to the corporate teams that are participating. If your company would like to participate or sponsor, it’s imperative to contact me this week. Information about our Campaign Kick-Off and Day of Caring, including the schedule for the event is posted at www.uwofsc.org.

There’s a reason it’s called Day of Caring. It’s a day dedicated to caring. And we are going to celebrate it and our strength in numbers together.