Day of Caring 2026 Volunteers Make a Difference
Each fall, hundreds of volunteers roll up their sleeves and come together to complete hands-on service projects that support United Way of Salt Lake’s mission of 100% of Utah kids and families thriving. This year was our 33rd Day of Caring — our longest-running Year of Action event and the largest volunteerism initiative for United Ways across the country.
As part of this effort, more than 700 corporate and community volunteers completed 34 service projects at schools and nonprofit partners across the Wasatch Front. Collectively, volunteers contributed an estimated 2100 service hours valued at $74,487.* The community impact was as far-reaching as it was varied. Projects ranged from landscaping at community centers and preparing meals for Head Start programs to assembling STEM kits and painting murals. One thing all these projects had in common, however, is that they all add up and contribute to real results for Utah kids and families. Every meal prepared, literacy or STEM kit distributed, and learning space made more welcoming improves reading scores, increases graduation rates, and helps more families meet their basic needs.
More than anything, Day of Caring demonstrates that United is the Way to create lasting change. A huge THANK YOU to all our generous sponsors, service project hosts, and volunteers for making Day of Caring such an impactful initiative this year. We’re highlighting just a few of the service projects completed this year at schools and nonprofits, with reflections from corporate volunteers about why giving back to the community through Day of Caring is important to them.
HCA Healthcare at Utah Food Bank
As one of our Presenting Sponsors, HCA Healthcare contributed financial support for Day of Caring as well as volunteers for a service project. Twenty-eight volunteers from St. Mark’s Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare’s Mountain Division, came together at the Utah Food Bank warehouse to sort donated food. Volunteers assembled food boxes for seniors, repackaged bulk foods, and organized everything so that it could be redistributed to pantries where Utahns in need can access food resources.
Access to food and meal resources is one of the top five needs requested through 211 Utah, and partners like Utah Food Bank help ensure that kids and families can meet their basic needs.
“St. Mark’s Hospital has been a part of Salt Lake community for 154 years. This is just a different way that we as leaders can give back to our communities outside of our hospital walls,” said Kelsie Green, Chief Operating Officer at St. Mark’s Hospital. “Just like health care, food and nutrition is a basic building block for families and children to thrive. This service project allows us to give back to the community in a meaningful way.”
Mark Miller Subaru at James E. Moss Elementary
Volunteers from Mark Miller Subaru got to work at James E. Moss Elementary School to complete some landscaping and decorate the chain-link fence that surrounds the playground. They added the word “Moss” in big letters as well as an image of the school’s Roadrunner mascot. This project helps create a welcoming environment for students and builds a sense of community and belonging at the school.
“Mark Miller Subaru has been involved with United Way for a long time and we always like the opportunity to do good in the community and to just try and make sure that the world’s a better place,” said, Heather Adair, Culture Director at Mark Miller Subaru. “We are decorating the fence with the Moss Elementary mascot, the Roadrunner. It’s kind of simple, but it is something that brings up morale and makes kids feel like they have a place that is their own.”
O.C. Tanner at South Salt Lake Community Center
Volunteers from O.C. Tanner collaborated with landscaping experts from Slow the Flow to install water-wise landscaping in front of the South Salt Lake Community Center. In addition to conserving water, this project helped make the community center look beautiful and feel more welcoming for all the kids and families who come to visit.
“Volunteering is a way we can give back to our community,” said Brad Whitesides, Director of Employee Experience at O.C. Tanner. “We’ve been a proud resident here in South Salt Lake for 99 years. We think that giving back to the community is what helps us be a great partner, a great company, and really a great place where people can make a career and feel like they belong.”
Although Day of Caring projects are closed for this year, there are still ways to get involved. If you’re feeling inspired by all of the good happening in our community, you can keep the momentum going by donating to support our work. Contact Roni Scheidler at veronica.scheidler@uw.org to sponsor or get involved with next year’s Day of Caring, or visit uw.org/volunteer to find more volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
Written by Jenna Fischer, Content Strategist
*Based on the estimated value of the volunteer hour in Utah, calculated at $35.47 by the Independent Sector.
