Countywide : United Way Seeks Service Volunteers

The United Way of Ventura County is looking for volunteers to help clean yards, paint buildings and perform other good deeds Saturday as part of its annual “Community Day of Caring.”

More than 500 local volunteers already have been matched with projects at nonprofit agencies for the event, which kicks off the United Way’s annual fund-raising drive. The campaign will continue through February.

United Way will announce this year’s fund-raising goal today, said Sylvia Schnopp, a United Way spokeswoman. Organizers fell slightly short of last year’s $5.6-million goal, raising $5.2 million, Schnopp said.

“When you consider the economy, it was a very good result,” she said.

Saturday’s event allows volunteers to see the results of their efforts up close, Schnopp said. Volunteers will spend the day painting local Boys & Girls clubs, gardening at Conejo Valley Senior Concerns and Help of Ojai and bagging food at Food Share and Project Understanding.

Others will help clean up the beach at Port Hueneme and tidy up yards at Rainbow Recovery centers. Many of the volunteers come from businesses throughout the county. Other companies are donating money to pay for T-shirts for the workers and to feed them breakfast.

A rally during breakfast will kick off the day from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Boys & Girls Club at 1500 Temple Ave. in Camarillo. To volunteer, call the United Way at 485-6288.