Dr. Katie Nall, Rev. Benny Rhyant, Meredith Egan and David Moore. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

The United Way of Indian River County knocked one out of the park during its 29th annual Day of Caring, which started off the morning with a kickoff breakfast at Holman Stadium at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex.

Hundreds of participants gathered about, enjoying breakfast and chatting excitedly about the numerous projects they would be heading out to work on.

The Day of Caring was sponsored by Publix, with breakfast provided by Joe and MaryAnn Conrado and Jeremy Odom, local owners of McDonald’s, beverages from Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice, and water from Gould Cooksey Fennell.

“We’re all excited to show Indian River County some love. I think we need it,” said Meredith Egan, UWIRC CEO, in her welcome address.

“What better way to start your Saturday morning than by joining hundreds of volunteers across the community? We have about 50 projects from Sebastian to the Highlands. So we are covering every corner of our community.”

Individuals, families, organizations and businesses gathered to lend a helping hand and adhere to the organization’s adage to Live United. A group from Publix were among the dedicated residents who continue to show up yearly for the event.

“The No. 1 supporter of all United Ways in the world, and they only exist in eight states,” noted Egan.

Egan said that within hours of the reports that came in regarding damages caused by the tornadoes and flooding that accompanied Hurricane Milton, the Jackie Robinson Training Complex had opened its doors and offered shelter to those who needed it.

“They’re a true community partner. The overwhelming generosity and the outpouring of volunteerism and love and support we’ve seen from our neighbors has been wonderful,” said Egan.

“United Way’s mission is simple: mobilizing the caring power of the community. We do this every day. In blue skies and gray, we improve lives, we inspire donors, and we unite the community.

We connect people in need with people who can help, just like today in a Day of Caring. When our community thrives, we all thrive,” said Egan.

School Superintendent David Moore noted that volunteers would be working to ensure that “our buildings are beautiful and prepared to meet our students each and every single day. We can’t do what we do in the classrooms without the support of all of you.”

Once they were fueled and pumped up by Vero Beach High School cheerleaders and members of TBLB Fitness, everyone scattered around town armed with the resolve to help local nonprofits.

Assorted tasks included decorating the Hibiscus Village for Halloween, writing holiday letters to seniors at the Senior Resource Association, helping to pack foodstuffs at the Treasure Coast Food Bank, freshening up the Childcare Resources playground, and completing a ‘Honey Do’ list of other projects around the community.

For more information, visit UnitedWayIRC.org. To learn about year-round volunteer opportunities, visit VolunteerIndianRiverCounty.org.

Photos by Joshua Kodis