United Way of Greater Chattanooga host Day of Caring

CHATTANOOGA,Tenn. (WDEF)- The United Way of Greater Chattanooga hosted its annual Day of Caring at Reflection Riding on Friday.  

“Today, reflection riding is a part of United Way’s Day of Caring,” said Terran Anderson, Vice President of Community & Corporate Engagement at United Way. “We have been doing this for decades across the community, but we are so excited, because today is the largest Day of Caring we have ever had.”

The United Way of Greater Chattanooga partnered with various corporate organizations to complete a day of service.

Anderson considers Day of Caring a way to enhance public spaces. 

“We are always trying to connect community members to what our nonprofit community is doing. and so whether it be UTC students or individuals or friends from our corporate partners, we want them to see the great work that nonprofits are doing in our community, and this is one of the easiest ways really to bring them to that work so that they can experience it firsthand,” said Anderson. 

According to the United Way of Greater Chattanooga more than 900 Volunteers performed 60 projects throughout the day. 

John Rutter with Ace Hardware, explains why volunteering for Day of Caring is special.

“For 20 years, we have partnered with United Way, and during the Labor Day, we actually donate 5% of sales to United Way,” said Rutter. “We have done that over the years. This year, we are glad to say that we are able to donate over $29,000 to help with supplies, that will go to help with projects all across the city.”

And Rutter says, Day of Caring is not only about connecting with other companies, but also working as a team. 

“We are really glad that we have the opportunity to come here to help. We have put up some shade cloths today, which we have at our garden centers, and so to be able to take some of the skills that we have from our stores and share that with the community is really special to us,” Rutter concluded.