On May 20, 2026, more than 200 volunteers from across the Fox Cities stepped away from their usual routines and stepped into service for Day of Caring.

Together, they cleaned carts at food pantries, repacked thousands of diapers, removed invasive species from local ecosystems, refreshed nonprofit spaces, prepared gardens, and tackled projects that often sit at the bottom of busy nonprofit to-do lists.

At the Kimberly-Clark Eastern Wisconsin Diaper Bank alone, 42 volunteers repacked approximately 43,000 diapers for local families. At Heckrodt Wetland Reserve, volunteers removed more than 40 pounds of garlic mustard to help protect native habitats. At St. Joseph Food Program, volunteers cleaned and organized both indoor and outdoor spaces, including carts and trucks used to support food distribution, helping ensure staff can stay focused on serving neighbors in need. Across the community, people showed up with willing hands and generous hearts.

The day also included meaningful moments of partnership and generosity, including a kind gesture from a community member who covered volunteer supplies for Belong Wisconsin, a reminder of how care shows up in both big and small ways.

What stood out most was not just what got done, but the spirit behind it. The day carried a real sense of connection and positivity from start to finish. New connections were made along the way, both within teams and between volunteers and nonprofit staff. Nonprofits felt genuinely supported, and volunteers experienced the kind of shared purpose that comes from showing up together. Community happened in real time.

Local news outlets also highlighted the impact of the day. WFRV and FOX 11 featured volunteers across the Fox Valley as they stepped into service, sharing stories of teamwork, community pride, and the importance of giving time to support local nonprofits.

The Day of Caring was a collaboration between United Way Fox Cities and Volunteer Fox Cities, working together to connect people with meaningful opportunities to serve and strengthen the organizations that support our community every day.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time, energy, and care to make the day possible. Your impact reached far beyond a single day.

And if you’re already looking forward to the next opportunity, save the date for our fall Day of Caring on September 29.