UNITED WAY ROCK RIVER VALLEY

Day of Caring

Friday, September 18, 2026

United. Together. In Service to Winnebago County.

Join us for the 2026 Day of Caring, a community-wide volunteer event where individuals and teams work side by side to make a meaningful, hands-on difference in our county.

Day of Caring unites corporate teams to serve local nonprofit agencies and community organizations. Whether planting gardens, assembling kits, cleaning spaces, or supporting community programs, your time fuels lasting impact across Winnebago County.

This year it also serves as the official launch of our 2026–27 giving season, making it one of the most meaningful days on our calendar.

Volunteers planting shrubs and landscaping outside a community facility during United Way Rock River Valley’s Day of Caring.

Event Details

Friday, September 18, 2026
8:00 AM — Breakfast & Kickoff
9:00 AM — Volunteering Projects Begin

This event is built on collaboration and commitment. Your organization does not have to be a current United Way Rock River Valley Corporate Partner to participate.

VIEW SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

REGISTER YOUR TEAM

Group of United Way Rock River Valley Day of Caring volunteers standing together outdoors wearing red volunteer shirts.

Why It Matters

Day of Caring is more than a single morning of service — it’s a celebration of what we can do when we work together. By lending your time, energy, and teamwork, you help strengthen nonprofits that support children, families, seniors, and neighbors across our community.

Volunteers leave inspired, connected, and more deeply invested in the place we all call home.

Two volunteers wearing hairnets and gloves preparing meals together during a United Way Rock River Valley Day of Caring project.

Volunteer With Your Team

Volunteers tell us they leave inspired. They discover nonprofits doing remarkable work they never knew existed. They find purpose in a shared experience that goes beyond the workday. For many teams, it becomes the highlight of their year. Day of Caring offers an ideal way to:

Build team camaraderie
Support local organizations in visible, practical ways
Demonstrate corporate citizenship
Create shared experiences that matter

Get Involved

If your company is an active United Way Rock River Valley Corporate Partner*, your organization automatically qualifies to register at the Corporate Sponsor level ($250 value) at no additional cost. This is our way of saying thank you for the impact you’re already making in our community.

If you're not a current Corporate Partner, you can still register to participate. This year we're opening up Day of Caring to ALL of our community businesses.

VIEW SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

REGISTER YOUR TEAM

If you have questions about corporate participation or community projects, connect with our team. We're here to help!

Cherice Ullrich
Corporate Engagement Manager
cherice@unitedwayrrv.org
Direct: (815) 968-9048

*A Corporate Partner is defined as any business who has donated in the past fiscal year (July 1, 2025- June 30, 2026) through employee giving, sponsorships, special events, or a corporate gift.

Day of Caring Project Requests

Nonprofit organizations and community partners are encouraged to submit a project request to participate in Day of Caring. Projects are open to all nonprofits in Winnebago County, including local agencies, service clubs, public schools, municipal partners, and community organizations.

Project approval is based on capacity and the number of volunteer teams that register by the deadline. A project registration form will be available soon. Please check back for updates. In the meantime, review the FAQs below for additional details and helpful guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is United Way’s Day of Caring?

Day of Caring is an annual day of action that brings together teams of volunteers to support nonprofit and community organizations across Winnebago County. Volunteers roll up their sleeves to complete hands-on projects that strengthen agencies and the people they serve.

What time do Day of Caring projects start?

Day of Caring begins with breakfast and a kickoff at 8:00 a.m., followed by volunteer projects that start at 9:00 a.m.

Our agency is not a United Way funded partner — may we still participate in Day of Caring?

Absolutely! Day of Caring is open to all nonprofits, community organizations, service clubs, and similar groups.

Is there a minimum or maximum team size to participate in Day of Caring?

There is no required minimum or maximum team size. We welcome workplace teams of all sizes—from small groups of 2–4 volunteers to larger teams of 15–20 or more. If needed, United Way Rock River Valley will pair smaller teams with another workplace or divide larger groups across multiple projects to ensure a meaningful and well-organized volunteer experience.

What kinds of projects do nonprofits submit for Day of Caring?

It depends on your organization’s needs, creativity, and resources. Projects have included, but are not limited to:

Yardwork and landscaping (ex. Weeding, trimming bushes)
Planting flowers and laying mulch
Deep cleaning (ex. Rugs, chairs)
Power washing
Classroom painting and organization
Supply/pantry organization
Donation room sorting
Painting Born Learning trails
Assembling of furniture and playground equipment
Maintaining outdoor education spaces
Clerical or administrative projects
Book distribution preparation (ex. Stickering and packing books)
Neighborhood trash clean-up
Deck and fence painting

I have questions about whether or not our project would be a good fit.

Ask us! Send an email to cherice@unitedwayrrv.org and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. Safety is our top priority. United Way reviews all project requests and reserves the right to refuse any, for any reason.

What will our agency need to do to prepare for Day of Caring?

We suggest appointing a Project Lead for each project within your organization. This person is responsible for planning, gathering supplies, and developing instructions.

If you’re a lean team, consider asking a board member or volunteer to step up to the plate. If you have satellite locations, you should have a Project Lead at each facility. Please keep safety top of mind in all preparations.

May we ask volunteers to bring items along?

Yes, but your agency is responsible for required supplies, materials, tools, and equipment. Helpful reminders you may suggest to volunteers include work or gardening gloves, sunscreen, bug spray, and kneeling pads.

Will additional communication about Day of Caring be provided?

Yes, after you register a project you will receive a confirmation email. You will also receive notification of what teams have been assigned to your project(s) after registration closes. That communication will include additional information in advance of the event. Otherwise, submit questions to cherice@unitedwayrrv.org.

Should we publicize our Day of Caring participation on social media?

Absolutely! Before and after photos are awesome. Please tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn:

facebook.com/unitedwayrrv
instagram.com/unitedwayrrv
linkedin.com/company/unitedwayrrv

Make sure “Day of Caring 2026” appears naturally in caption copy. Include 3-5 of the following hashtags: #DayOfCaring, #UnitedWay, #VolunteerLocal, #Rockford, #CorporateVolunteering

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