NORWICH – The Chenango County United Way is gearing up for a new campaign season, with new fundraising goals in mind and new opportunities for volunteers to help kick things off during the annual United Way Day of Caring.

The United Way Day of Caring – a yearly tradition in which United Way volunteers lend a helping hand to charitable agencies, municipalities and various non-profit organizations throughout the county – is set to get campaign season underway on Sept. 22. As usual, the day begins with a light breakfast at the Norwich Fire Department at 8 a.m. before workers make their way across the county at 9 to carry out the United Way’s mission to give, advocate and volunteer.

“This is really giving people that opportunity to make a difference,” said Chenango United Way Director Elizabeth Monaco.

At last count, 17 applications were submitted to the United Way in request of volunteer labor to undertake painting projects, mentoring, food distribution, minor landscaping and other miscellaneous projects during this year’s Day of Caring. Thus far, 12 teams, each comprised of five people, will be hitting the streets of local communities, according to Monaco and while there’s always a calling for more volunteers to jump on board, this year is shaping up to be a little different than years past.