United Way Gives Back to the Emporia Community through Day of Caring

The United Way of Flint Hills helped local non-profit organizations on Sept. 24 for a “Day of Caring” in an effort to make the Emporia community more tight-knit and assist non-profits. These non-profits that United Way is helping have projects that need completing but can’t finish due to funds, time, or resources.

On this Day of Caring, United Way is helping Camp Alexander, Bloom House, Camp Double E, Emporia Senior Center, Southwick House, The Salvation Army, and SOS Children’s Center.

“It is an opportunity for non-profits to have some extra hands and money,” Executive Director of United Way of Flint Hills Daphne Reed Mertens said. “Evergy gave funding to those non-profits to be able to purchase supplies.”

The United Way of Flint Hills partnered with students from Emporia State and Flint Hills Technical College, as well as Evergy, to assist in the projects.

“We had about 60 to 65 students from Emporia State and Flint Hills Technical College,” Mertens said. “We also had 12 people from Evergy helping at The Salvation Army. I have to give a shoutout to Evergy, who always steps up when our non-profits need help.”

She adds that the Day of Caring gives volunteers a hands-on way to give back to the community and build community spirit between the city and students. Building the community spirit between the city and students is important and Mertens explains the importance of both colleges in the Day of Caring.

“It is a great way to collaborate with ESU and FHTC, who are always great partners,” Mertens said. “We love to see the students out engaging within our community.”

The yearly Day of Caring sees a lot of community impact from helping non-profit organizations out to building community spirit through a hands-on experience, connecting the college students to the community. The Day of Caring is an annual event and looks to continue assisting non-profits in the future.