Voices from the Upper Valley: Firsthand Day of Caring Experiences

Day of Caring has been a long-time tradition in Granite United Way's Upper Valley region. Each year our volunteers get to see first hand the great work local nonprofits are doing. Day of Caring leaves our volunteers feeling happy and excited knowing that they are giving back to their community. Below is a sampling of first-hand Upper Valley volunteer testimonials from last year's Day of Caring.

“We had a new volunteer who, on the first day of orientation, fell in love with a cat who was up for adoption. She had no intention of adopting until she met the cat and was smitten. The lady had had a rough year, with illness and job loss, and the cat just filled a space in her heart and she was so grateful. She continues to volunteer with us, coming in to help clean, do laundry, and socialize with cats who are still looking for their new homes.”

Allison Stark
Director of Operations
Upper Valley Humane Society

“When I asked our Food Shelf Coordinator since she often has a large group that volunteers during Day of Caring she simply said, “Many hands make light work”. I think the power of Day of Caring comes in the ability to gather people together to accomplish projects that require numerous hands. It is a day when as an organization we can think from a perspective of abundance and complete activities that during the regular work week we are unable to get to. Our Day of Caring volunteers bring new energy and we look forward to this day every year.”

Amber Johnston
Director of Community Education and Volunteer Services
Upper Valley Haven

“I love hiking, and Trail Corps is the perfect opportunity for me to do what I enjoy while helping the community and meeting other local students who are passionate about what I love. Trail corps provides an immense sense of accomplishment created by completing difficult projects as a team, such as building a bridge or setting a rock step. I just finished my third week of trail crew with UVTA, and I would highly recommend the program to a friend because of the unique blend of fun and work experience trail crew offers to participants.”

Student Volunteer & Trail Crew Member
Upper Valley Trails Alliance