Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about Day of Caring.

What is the cost to participate in Day of Caring? It’s free!

At what types of organizations will we be volunteering? Your employees will volunteer at a variety of nonprofit organizations in the 40 towns served by United Way in central and northeastern Connecticut. Please see our list of previously participating organizations for a sample of organizations who participate.

Who should participate from my workplace? Invite everyone, as all are welcome. Any number of volunteers can participate. Please consult with your Day of Caring coordinator for more information.

Will our employees be split up or can we all volunteer together at the same project site? Depending on the number of employees you have and the project you select, you may or may not be divided into smaller groups to volunteer. You will be able to choose your project, so the choice will be yours as to whether you split your group up into multiple project sites, or all go to one project site.

How do I pick my project? Each workplace chooses a coordinator. In late June, that coordinator will receive an email letting them know that registration for Day of Caring has started. The coordinator, or employees themselves, will then be able to visit our registration website, review projects, and choose a place to volunteer.

How do I know who is the agency contact person? The contact person is included in the project description.

Do we volunteer all day or are there half-day projects? There will be a variety of full-day or half-day (morning and afternoon) projects to choose from.

Do we have to travel far to get to project sites? Sites are located across our 40-town area so they will be convenient for you and your employees.

Is transportation provided? Transportation to and from program sites is not provided. Please consider carpooling from your workplace or from local commuter lots to make sure everyone reaches the project site.

Must volunteers have any special skills to participate? While some projects will request volunteers with abilities such as "good with power tools" most projects do not require special skills.

Do we have to bring our own supplies to use at project sites? Some project sites will ask you to bring equipment such as work gloves, rakes, paint brushes, or other items. Some sites may ask you to bring your creativity and your smile. In either case, the items that are requested will likely be of little or no cost to you or your employees.

What happens if it rains? Some projects will happen, rain or shine. In some cases, the project will have to be canceled or rescheduled to another date. Please review the project description when selecting your project for inclement weather plans.

Can I talk to the project coordinator before the Day of Caring? Yes, and we encourage you to do so! Talking with the coordinator, even visiting the site, will help ensure that all of your questions have been answered prior to your day of volunteering. You’ll also be able to share all of the information you gain with your volunteers, which helps spread the excitement and the enthusiasm you have about the project.

Can we meet program participants at the organization where we’re volunteering? In some cases, you will work side-by-side with organization clients and volunteers. In other cases, due to confidentiality, clients will not be able to be with you while you are volunteering. You may hear stories about the clients that you’re helping from the people who are with them on a daily basis. In either case, the work that you do will benefit the people served by the organization.

What if we need to cancel at the last minute? If you need to cancel at the last minute, please be sure to contact the project coordinator as far in advance as possible. Please also contact the Day of Caring project manager, especially if your entire workplace is unable to attend, so we can attempt to find replacement volunteers to complete your project. Remember that the nonprofit organization has spent time planning for Day of Caring. If at all possible, please try to find replacement volunteers for anyone who is unable to attend so the work that was planned can still be completed.

Does everyone receive a Day of Caring t-shirt? Everyone who participates in Day of Caring from your workplace will receive a t-shirt to be worn at the project site. Depending on the sponsorship level, some workplaces may receive personalized t-shirts for their employees. Please call (860) 493-6827 to speak with one of our staff members about the benefits of Day of Caring sponsorship for your workplace.