Day of Caring

SAVE THE DATE
Thursday, August 6, 2026

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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DAY OF CARING DRAWING CONTEST

Entries Due Friday, April 17, 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 ages 10 through High School Senior

✔ Must live in or attend school in Cayuga County

✔ Line drawings only (hand-drawn preferred)

📩 How to Submit:

Click Entry Form Below | Email: jstone@unitedwayofcayugacounty.org | Drop off your submission at: 2 State Street, Suite 2, Auburn

Entry Form

PROJECT REGISTRATION & VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP OPENS MAY 11

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.

REGISTRATION CLOSED
REGISTRATION CLOSED

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

- PROJECTS COMING SOON!

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

- PROJECTS COMING
SOON!

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

- PROJECTS COMING SOON!

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

 

Cayuga Lake National Bank         Wegmans          NUCOR Logo*

 

Auburn Crane & Rigging | Savannah Bank | Pinnacle Investments | MEDENT | Auburn Community Hospital | Beardsley Architects + Engineers* 

Bouley Associates | Lyons National Bank* | Tompkins Community Bank* | East Hill Medical Center* | Centolella Enterprises | Sophie Cat

 

* = Year-Long Events Sponsor, supporting Mini-Golf, Day of Caring & Countywide Personal Care Drive, Legacy Donor Soiree, and 2024-25 Campaign

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.