Day of Caring

A Day of Caring is an opportunity for volunteers to sign-up and tackle projects at nonprofits serving Cayuga County residents.

 

Projects range from painting, stair repair, administrative work, gardening, and more!  During last year's Day of Caring, nearly 220 volunteers completed 16 different projects across Cayuga County in Fair Haven, Auburn, Aurora, Poplar Ridge, and King Ferry.

 

Our goal is to see this event grow into more regions of Cayuga County!

 

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DOC Drawing 2027

DAY OF CARING DRAWING CONTEST

Submissions Open: August - November 20, 2026

The United Way of Cayuga County is looking for a youth-designed T-shirt graphic to represent this incredible day of service. The winning design (chosen by the community!) will be featured on the official Day of Caring T-shirt, website, social media, promotional materials, and more!

🖊 Who Can Enter?

  • Youth must be in 4th - 12th grade
  • Youth must either live or attend school in Cayuga County
  • Must be line drawings, hand drawn works preferred, no color

📩 How to Submit:

Must submit drawing along with this completed form to Shelly Norton by Friday, November 20, 2026 either scanned and emailed to snorton@unitedwayofcayugacounty.org or physical submissions dropped off to United Way at 2 State Street, Suite 2, Auburn, NY 13021.

Submission Form

PROJECT REGISTRATION & VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP IS CLOSED

            

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be 10+ years of age
     
  • Youth 10 - 17 years of age, adult guardian (18+) is required to volunteer with child(ren)
     
  • Signed waiver and photo release form must be attached when you submit your volunteer registration
     
  • Individuals can register by themselves
     
  • Up to 30 individuals (youth and adults) can register as a team - teams can consist of family members, friends, and/or colleagues 
     
  • Volunteer registration deadline is July 22, 2026. To guarantee a Day of Caring t-shirt, the volunteer registration deadline is July 2, 2026. 

PROJECT REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must physically be within Cayuga County

     

  • Open to 501(c)3 organizations and community spaces such as libraries and parks
     

  • Must have an on-site coordinator for the duration of the event
     

  • Projects can be half-day (4 hours) or day-long (6+ hours)
     

  • Rain / inclement weather plan
     

  • Project registration deadline is July 10, 2026.

Closed
Closed

 

PROJECTS REGISTERED: 2026 CLOSED

COUNTY NORTH PROJECTS
Fair Haven, Cato, Meridian, Port Byron, Weedsport

 

American Red Cross 

Personal Care Drive (Driver)

 

 

COUNTY CENTRAL
PROJECTS
Auburn, Sennett, Throop,
Fleming, Owasco,
Aurelius

American Red Cross 

Cayuga County

Cayuga County Habitat for Humanity

City of Auburn

Perform 4 Purpose

Seward House Museum

Seymour Public Library

Unity House

United Way of Cayuga County | Blood Drive @ Cayuga Community College

COUNTY SOUTH PROJECTS
Union Springs, Aurora, Moravia, King Ferry, Genoa, Locke

American Red Cross

Camp Gregory

Frontenac Historical Society & Museum

Healing H'Arts Equestrian Center

Mackenzie-Childs

Personal Care Drive (Driver)

Southern Cayuga Instant Aid

 

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

Presenting Sponsor

Wegmans

 

               Auburn Crane & Rigging              CLNB           tour Cayuga Logo 2026             Boyle   

 

 Pinnacle Investments | East Hill Medical Center | MEDENT | Auburn Community Hospital

 

 

YCL

February 2025

May 2026

August 2026 - Coming August 13

November 2026 - Coming November 12

Local History | Day of Caring

In spring of 2021, Nucor Steel of Auburn's Vice President & General Manager, Jason Curtis agreed to be the 2021-22 Campaign Co-chair with his colleagues Karen Geiger and Jonah Simons. 

Part of Nucor Steel's mission is to be stewards in the communities where they live and work. Nucor partners with United Ways across the nation. Coming from an area that held an annual Day of Caring, Jason wanted to bring this community driven day to Cayuga County. 

As the Kickoff Celebration to the 2021-22 Campaign, Nucor and the United Way of Cayuga County held our Inaugural Day of Caring on Friday, September 24, 2021. Six projects were completed by more than 70 volunteers who live and work right here in Cayuga County. The first projects were completed for United Way funded Member Agencies with projects in Auburn and Owasco

In 2022, the 2nd Annual Day of Caring saw the completion of 16 projects for nonprofits and community centers in Weedsport, Throop, Fair Haven, and Auburn. One of the projects was to collect Personal Care Drive boxes throughout all of Cayuga County's villages. Nearly 120 volunteers came together to support this initiative. 

 

 

YOUTH DRAWING CONTEST VOTING IS NOW CLOSED

YES- You can vote MULTIPLE times-- but only once per location! Between May 1 - May 10 you can vote for your favorite design at In-Person Booths across Cayuga County, Facebook, and Instagram!

In-person Voting Booths

 

     

     Auburn YMCA
     27 William St, Auburn

Aurora Free Library
370 Main St, Aurora

Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce
2 State St, Auburn

     Fair Haven Public Library
     14426 S Richmond Ave, Fair Haven

Kinney Drugs (Weedsport)
8979 S N Seneca St, Weedsport

King Ferry Corner Store
5779 State Route 90, King Ferry

      Modern Market (Moravia)
      10 W Cayuga St, Moravia

Wegmans Food Markets (Auburn)
1 Loop Rd, Auburn

  

   

Yes! You can vote at EACH location (but only once)!