250 Volunteers Help 20 Groups at United Way Day of Caring

Sometimes the best way to strengthen a community is to show up with work gloves and a willing heart.

Roughly 250 volunteers turned out for the 2026 United Way Day of Caring in Quincy, Illinois, helping 20 local organizations tackle projects they'd been putting off for months or even years. Despite morning rain forcing some outdoor work indoors, every volunteer found a way to contribute.

The annual event pairs employees from local businesses with nonprofits and community groups that need extra hands. This year, teams from Phibro Animal Health worked alongside Quanada, Clarity Healthcare employees helped local Girl Scouts, and JM Huber staff pitched in at Liberty Schools.

"This stuff wouldn't have gotten done if this day didn't happen," said Makayla Buckley, United Way's director of communications and programs. She spent the morning talking to grateful organizations finally catching up on neglected tasks.

One church had accumulated six years worth of donated clothing for their annual rummage sale, bags they'd never had time to sort through until the volunteers arrived. Other teams tackled landscaping, organizing storage spaces, and whatever else community groups needed.

The Ripple Effect

The beauty of the Day of Caring extends beyond the immediate tasks completed. Volunteers discover new parts of their own community while organizations build connections with local businesses that might support them year-round.

"The volunteers look forward to this every year because they get to get out of the office, see new places, and learn new things about the community," Buckley explained. Projects spread countywide, giving participants fresh perspectives on where help is needed most.

United Way of Adams County Executive Director Jenna Hull gathered the volunteers at Quincy's Clat Adams Park Friday afternoon to deliver a simple message: "It matters, what you did today."

The program has existed for about 25 years and was relaunched in its current form in 2018. Hull emphasized that rain couldn't stop the momentum, with canceled outdoor projects simply redirecting volunteers to indoor sites.

For employers or individuals interested in participating next year, or organizations needing assistance, Buckley welcomes early outreach to start planning. The variety of projects keeps things interesting, she noted, from physical labor to detailed organizing work.

When 250 people decide community matters more than their regular Friday, everyone wins.

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