Day of Caring rallies 600 volunteers

Day of Caring returned in full force yesterday with more than 600 people volunteering across the Ozarks.

Organized by the United Way of the Ozarks, the annual communitywide volunteer event was pared back last year due to coronavirus precautions. This year, roughly 50 projects were completed for nonprofits by volunteers from 92 groups representing various businesses and organizations, according to officials.

"What we hear from our nonprofits is that the work completed by these community volunteer teams is not only valued, but it is more than the nonprofit staff could complete in weeks,” Greg Burris, United Way President and CEO said via email.

Benefiting nonprofits included The Salvation Army, Discovery Center of Springfield Inc., Crosslines and Victory Mission & Ministry.

Discovery Center officials said 50 volunteers from BKD LLP, BRP Architects, City Utilities of Springfield, Kiwanis of South Springfield and KPM CPAs & Advisors donated $10,000 worth of volunteer work to the children’s science museum yesterday.

“You know the saying, ‘the shoemaker’s children go barefoot,’ right? We have such a bighearted team here that is constantly caring for and educating the kids in our community, so our building and exhibits don’t often get the care they deserve and need,” Rob Blevins, Discovery Center executive director, said in a news release. “We love the United Way of the Ozarks and Day of Caring because we get these people that are passionate about helping us with what we need.”

United Way will host a second Day of Caring this year on Sept. 23.