Join us May 4th - 8th for our Virtual Week of Caring!
Each day we'll have a new challenge to help brighten your day and those of others, all while helping our community without having to leave your home!
Get in the spirit to give, and don't forget to post a photo or video from your volunteering efforts from home with the hashtag #UWMVWeekofCaring.
Check out the challenges for the week below!
Mental Health Monday: Snap a photo of you doing your favorite form of self-care (taking a nature break outside, reading a book, having a “spa” day, baking, etc)
Giving Tuesday Now: As part of United Way Worldwide’s Giving Tuesday Now campaign, make a donation to the United Way and Community Foundation’s Mohawk Valley COVID-19 Response Fund at www.mvcovidfund.com. This fund has raised over $750,000 and awarded $680,000 thus far, with a goal of $1.2 million to meet the needs of those struggling in our community during this time.
Wear it Wednesday: Show United Way some love and sport your favorite United Way apparel.
Thank You Thursday: Join us in thanking frontline workers (medical staff, first responders, law enforcement, and essential workers) for all their commitment to serving our community. Choose one or more of the ideas below so frontline workers can see how much they mean to us!
1. Donate a meal: Everyone loves a free meal. Many national and local businesses are delivering meals to support frontline workers, and allowing customers to purchase a meal on behalf of frontline workers. Some local restaurants offering the ability meal donation are Rollin Bowlz Acai and mōtus Utica. Check with your favorite local spots to see if they are offering this thoughtful promotion! Remember meal donations can be a great way to thank hospital workers as well as the staff at your doctor’s office, EMTs, police officers, firefighters and grocery clerk.
2. Make a sign for your front yard: Make someone’s commute to work brighter by posting a sign in your window or front yard telling frontline workers how much they mean to our community. This is a great project for kids!
3. Share a messgae on social media: As we all keep our physical distance, connecting online has become even more important. Using social media is a great way to thank frontline workers. You can tag people you know or send a general message using the hashtags #FrontlineLove, #FrontlineHeroes, #COVIDHeroes or #InThisTogether.
4. Leave items for delivery workers: Delivery workers are putting in long hours and many find it hard to get to the store. Help them by leaving items such as water bottles, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, snacks and other essentials that will get them through their day or save them a trip to the store. Remember to sanitize the items as best as you can and leave instructions so the delivery people do the same.
5. Stay at home: The most important thing you can do to thank frontline workers is to stay home. When we all stay home, we limit the spread of COVID-19. So limit outings to essential trips to the grocery store, medical appointments, picking up prescriptions, walking pets and helping the vulnerable. When outside, use social distancing to stay at least six feet away from others.
Feel Good Friday: Send a note, card or drawing to residents at local nursing homes who are unable to see their families to brighten their day. We’ve partnered with Presbyterian and Lutheran Homes, and The Community at Sunset Wood to send letters to their residents. Letters can be sent to either of the below addresses:
The Community at Sunset Wood
118 Genesee St.
New Hartford, NY 13413
Lenora D'Apice
110 Utica Road
Clinton, NY 13323