Kelly Pavlik, Mayor Williams to speak at Day of Caring event

Kelly Pavlik — Nearly 500 volunteers from 60 area businesses will
perform service projects at 42 locations.

YOUNGSTOWN — The 10th annual Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way Day of Caring and community-wide fund-raising campaign will kick off with a “Breakfast of Champions” at 8 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Banquet Hall.

The breakfast will feature remarks by Mayor Jay Williams and local boxing great Kelly Pavlik.

After the breakfast, nearly 500 volunteers from 60 area businesses will perform service projects at 42 locations throughout the community.

The United Way “Day of Caring” is an annual community-wide service project in which area companies participate by completing tasks, odd jobs, and organizing activities for United Way agencies. Projects consist of painting, cleaning, home repairs, 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 with an opportunity to see first-hand how these agencies work to meet the needs of the community,” said Doug Sweeney, of Sweeney Buick Pontiac GMC and Chevrolet and Chairman of the 2007 Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way campaign.

“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,” said JoAnn Stock, United Way director of marketing and resource development.

“With nearly 500 volunteers scheduled to participate, this year is going to be our largest Day of Caring yet,” she added.

The United Way Day of Caring not only serves as a community-wide day of hands-on volunteering, it also serves as the start of the annual community-wide United Way campaign.