Live United

After a year’s reprieve, United Way held its day of Action for 2011 with sites in both Herkimer and Oneida Counties.

Held later in the summer than usual, this year’s bi-county volunteer day took place on a sun-soaked Friday in mid-July. United Way’s Day of Action found more than 40 United Way volunteers of all ages sweating it out in the summer sun cleaning and beautifying two local parks. Volunteers gathered at T.R. Proctor Park in East Utica and at Frankfort Harbor Marina and Park in Frankfort.

Utica’s site presented our volunteers with the challenge of picking up trash on 500 acres of land. T.R. Proctor is a beautiful area located on the city’s east side. Volunteers spent the day cleaning up the park’s basketball courts, sports fields, multiple nature trails, streambed and playground area.

The Frankfort Marina offered volunteers the opportunity to help beautify a small and not-so-widely-known park and harbor area in Herkimer County. The Department of Economic Conservation (DEC) donated and planted 10 trees within the park while United Way volunteers painted and stained a large public deck overlooking the harbor. The marina’s entrance was spruced up with 60 bags of donated red mulch and a fresh coat of paint on a giant decorative ship’s anchor. The small playground within the park was also given its due attention as volunteers spent time weeding and cleaning.

This year’s event was highly anticipated by United Way staff, Board members, and volunteers alike. For many, the event was well worth the wait. Volunteer Gabrielle Danovitz reflected on past Days of Action saying that she had enjoyed volunteering in previous years and jumped at the chance to take part again in this daylong clean up.

The 2011 Day of action signifies a jumpstart to United Way’s renewed focus on engaging our community through volunteerism.

“United Way is fairly well known for volunteer events like Saranac Thursdays, but our organization has so many other opportunities to offer those who are interested in giving back to our community,” Adam Lawless, Community Engagement Manager, said. “The Day of Action was just the beginning. We have smaller, more issue-focused volunteer days planned throughout the year in the United Way initiative areas of Health, Education, Income, and Community Safety Net.”

United Way is always in search of new and exciting volunteer activities to share with its large volunteer base. If you would like to contribute your project ideas, or to learn more about United Way volunteer activities, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (315) 733-4691.