NORWICH – The Chenango United Way is seeking volunteers for its 5th annual Day of Caring – to be held on Sept. 24 – kicking off this year’s fundraising campaign. Last year, United Way raised approximately $421,000 for non-profit organizations across the county.

The deadline to volunteer for the Day of Caring is Sept. 1, according to Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco. The organization plans to tackle 20 projects county-wide, including clearing the dog-walking trail at the SPCA; helping Hospice to assemble special “spice bags” for its volunteers to give to patients; sprucing up the Norwich Community Garden and assisting with the Food Sense distribution at Roots and Wings.

Additional projects across the county – including landscaping, painting, cleaning, working with youth and serving food to the hungry – will partner teams and individuals with other community non-profits, libraries, food pantries or service agencies, reported Monaco.

“These projects really are county-wide and people can register as an individual or as a team of five,” she added. “We’re also encouraging families to get involved, including their children, as you’re never too young to volunteer.”

For a second straight year, the United Way will hold a “Fill the Cart” Hygiene Collection, from 8:15 to 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 24 at the Norwich Fire Station. Last year, over 1,300 items – including shampoo, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, toilet paper, feminine products and diapers and baby supplies – were collected. This time around, said Monaco, the organization is hoping to add to that total and gather at least 1,500 items.