United Way of Tampa Bay Connects Thousands of Volunteers with Local Agencies in Need.
For Immediate Release
Contact Niki Paksoy, Director of Marketing and Creative Services
813-274-0953
813-505-5998 cell
Email: npaksoy@uwtb.org
More than four years of work will be done on one day
throughout the Tampa Bay area.
TAMPA BAY -- Tuesday, October 14, 2008 -- On Thursday, October 16, more than 2,000 volunteers will tackle 124 projects and work a total of 1,575 days to help deserving social service agencies.
United Way of Tampa Bay’s 16th annual Day of Caring brings together teams from area companies and local agencies who have asked for help. From painting to gardening, from refinishing furniture to repaving parking lots, the volunteers will do work that the agencies may not otherwise get done.
“We’re thrilled at the response from our local companies,” says Betty Tribble, Vice President of Volunteer Services at United Way of Tampa Bay. “In this tough economic climate, they have truly opened their hearts to help out.”
One unique project this year is a cross-the-bay effort that matches skills with needs. Tech Data, headquartered in Clearwater, will help Tampa’s Metropolitan Ministries set up computers and wiring at the holiday center. The center is where Metropolitan Ministries serves 25,000 holiday meals to needy families.
Other companies who participate include Publix, Aegon, Mosaic, Allstate, Ceridian, T. Rowe Price, Tampa Electric, Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Bank of America, HSBC Consumer & Mortgage Lending, Macy’s, Moffitt Cancer Center, Valpak, and the Cities of Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Temple Terrace.
Diana Baker, President and CEO of United Way, notes the effort. “Day of Caring is one of the largest one-day volunteer activities in our area. We’re proud to pull together the willing to help those in need.”
The media is invited to these photo opportunities from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon on Thursday:
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY LOCATIONS:
- Sulphur Springs Boys & Girls Club and Sulfur Springs Elementary, 8608 N. 12th Street, Tampa: 30 Moffitt Cancer Center emoloyees will beautify the Boys & Girls Club; 110 Time Customer Service employees will paint and landscape the school.
Betty Tribble, United Way of Tampa Bay Vice President of Volunteer Services, will be available for interviews at Sulfur Springs Elementary from 10:00 – 12 noon. Contact Betty by cell at 813.928.7458.
- The Children’s Home, 10909 Memorial Hwy, Tampa: 102 volunteers will clean, paint, shelve books, refinish furniture and otherwise refurbish the Home.
- Metropolitan Ministries, 2002 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa: 20 Tech Data employees will set up computers and wiring at the holiday center, enabling Metropolitan Ministries to better serve 25,000 holiday meals.
PINELLAS COUNTY LOCATIONS:
- RCS Food Bank, 700 Druid Rd., Clearwater: 20 employees from the City of Clearwater will sort food, assist clients and repave the parking lot.
- Girls Inc. of Pinellas, 7700 61st St. North, Pinellas Park: 67 employees from Publix and Allstate Insurance will garden, clean, paint and wallpaper.
- Community Preschool, 1665 25th Ave. N., St. Petersburg: 64 employees of Aegon and Bank of America will paint, landscape and refurbish furniture.
