May 22, 2008 — Last year, a volunteer workforce of nearly 2,400 from local businesses and organizations came to the aid of local schools and charities through the United Way Laurence E. Richardson Day of Caring. 

Volunteers made a difference at 230 project sites in the Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa and Nelson communities. Around 1,200 of the volunteers were University of Virginia employees, who worked on 131 projects.

Once again, U.Va. faculty and staff can join area volunteers during the 2008 Day of Caring, scheduled for Sept. 17.  U.Va. volunteers can serve the community in meaningful ways on a wide variety of projects, from clerical assistance to working with children or seniors, to painting, construction or landscaping.

U.Va. volunteers are encouraged to form a team and designate team leaders, who will choose a project for the group. Team registration will be available from late June through July.

To volunteer or for information, Academic Division employees should contact Careen Waterman in U.Va.'s Community Relations Office at 924-1321 or careens@virginia.edu. U.Va. Health System employees should contact Maria Synan of the Health System's Community Relations, Outreach and Service Office at 982-4034 or mvs3w@virginia.EDU.

Additional details also are available at the United Way Web site.