YOUNGSTOWN/MAHONING VALLEY United Way 'Day of Caring' starts financial campaign

`More than 300 United Way volunteers will work Tuesday on projects at affiliated agencies.
YOUNGSTOWN -- The fifth annual Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way "Day of Caring" is Tuesday, which also marks the start of UW's 2002 general financial campaign.
The Day of Caring begins with a breakfast meeting at 8 a.m. in Antone's Banquet Center for the more than 300 volunteers from 37 area businesses and organizations which will work that day on projects at UW-affiliated agencies.
The official kickoff for the campaign is at 5 p.m. at the B & amp;O Station.
The Day of Caring is a communitywide service project in which volunteers complete tasks and odd jobs and organize activities for UW agencies.
Campaign activities
Projects range from painting, cleaning and home repairs to serving meals and participating in activities and field trips.
"Not only does the Day of Caring help our United Way agencies to complete much-needed tasks, but it provides our volunteers an opportunity to see first-hand how these agencies work to meet the needs of the community," Tom Cavalier, chairman of the 2002 Youngstown-Mahoning Valley United Way campaign. Cavalier is chairman, president and chief executive officer of Butler Wick.
The Youngstown-Mahoning United Way is driven by volunteers, who work in areas such as raising funds, public relations, planning, reviewing community needs and investing dollars in programs, said Don Cagigas, United Way president and CEO.
"Day of Caring emphasizes the importance of volunteerism ... volunteers are vital to the success of our agencies ... and to the success of our United Way," he said.