Contributed photo This photo, found on the United Way of Richmond County's Facebook page, was taken during last year's Day of Caring.

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The United Way of Richmond County is gearing up for its annual campaign kickoff and Day of Caring, which will take place on Sept. 12. A 7:30 a.m. breakfast will bring in the new campaign year at Cole Auditorium in Hamlet.

The organization is in partnership with local businesses and charities around the county, and frequently works to assist them through donations and fundraisers.

Michelle Parrish, executive director of United Way of Richmond County, said the group has eight projects planned so far.

“We have 160 volunteers scheduled so far that will be going out on Sept. 12,” Parrish said, adding that around 50 were on board to work on a Habitat for Humanity house located on Clark Street.

“We have a full day that we’ll be out in the community giving back and helping partnering agencies,” Parrish said.

Following breakfast at the Cole Auditorium, volunteers are scheduled to visit Sandhills Children Center, Cordova School, Backpack Pals, Habitat for Humanity, New Horizon’s Life and Family Service, East Rockingham Senior Center, Hamlet Senior Center and Ellerbe Senior Center.

“It’s a day people look forward to,” Parrish said. “Some businesses use it as a team-building day to work together.”

Melanie Carnes, director of Sandhills Children Center in Rockingham, said the agency has partnered with United Way for the past three or four years.

“The Day of Caring is probably one of our best days all year long because we have such a large amount of volunteers that come out to help at our campus,” Carnes said. “They do so many wonderful things for the children.”

Carnes said that in the past few years, volunteers have helped out with anything from building sandboxes to removing and replacing damaged play structures.

“And of course this is all volunteer,” Carnes added, “so with us being a nonprofit, we’re able to get things done for our children that we’d otherwise have to pay for, or wouldn’t be able to get done at all … Really, it’s a wonderful day for us and we’re so touched by the amount of generosity that’s shown. It’s amazing.”

To volunteer with the United Way of Richmond County, contact Michelle Parrish at 910-997-2173 or michelleparrish@bellsouth.net.

— Staff Writer Mallory Brown can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at mallorybrown@heartlandpublications.com.