Union Gospel Mission Emphasizes Day of Caring Importance

DULUTH, Minn.– June 11th marks the Summer Day of Caring, and it’s bringing opportunities for volunteer experience across the Northland.

The day of caring is meant to be an open door for those looking to lend a helping hand.

This year, there are over 250 volunteers tackling over 30 projects around the area.

The volunteers will spend their day with trail maintenance, gardening, and also stocking up lunch bags.

At the copper top church, Minnesota Power, one of the event’s sponsors, helped build the lunch bags.

Thanks to their help, the lunches will guarantee 300 kids a meal.

“I think today is really important because people are gaining access, maybe to new nonprofits that they never knew anything about, and so today is a day that maybe they might just see as spending three hours at an organization, but they’re learning about the mission. They’re learning about the impact that their organization has in. The community, and hopefully we’re creating people that continue to support that organization all year round, and not just today,” said Sara Niemi, Executive Director at Head of the Lakes United Way.

One official says by continuing this tradition of volunteer work, it showcases their overall mission.

And by getting involved, it leads to even more potential for the nonprofit.

“Last summer thanks to our volunteers, we delivered 4325 bags in just 12 weeks. So, whether it’s serving a meal, hosting our events, or packing food for kids, volunteers are the heartbeat of the mission. Their time, energy and compassion, quite literally, help us feed and care for 1000s of people each month,” said Katie Hagglund, Executive Director at Union Gospel Mission.

Outside of Duluth, today’s day of caring also took place in Superior, Two Harbors, and Cloquet as well.