Day of Caring
Timeline: Annual Event (3 Consecutive Years)
Format: In-Person & Virtual (during COVID-19)
Region: Western New York
Organizer: United Way of Buffalo & Erie County
Executive Summary
As Director of Marketing & Communications for United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, I led the planning and execution of Day of Caring, Western New York’s largest single-day volunteer mobilization event for three consecutive years.
This monumental initiative engaged 3,000+ volunteers from 110 companies, matched with 123 nonprofit organizations to complete 173 high-impact service projects in one day. The event served as a cornerstone of community engagement and corporate social responsibility in the region, reinforcing the value of collective action and civic leadership.
My Role: Event Producer, Community Builder & Strategic Connector
In my role, I oversaw every aspect of this large-scale community initiative—from logistics and communications to sponsorship and contingency planning. Responsibilities included:
Volunteer Logistics: Coordinated all aspects of volunteer registration, transportation, and deployment across 173 distinct service projects.
Tech-Enabled Matching: Implemented and managed an efficient online registration and matching system, streamlining volunteer placement and improving communication with both nonprofit hosts and corporate teams.
Partnership Development: Cultivated and maintained relationships with 123 nonprofit organizations to create meaningful, skills-aligned service opportunities.
Corporate Engagement: Secured and supported 110 participating companies, delivering high-touch service to HR teams, CSR leads, and employee coordinators.
Sponsorship Fulfillment: Delivered custom activation plans for corporate sponsors, managing media opportunities, speaking roles, and branding placements.
Crisis Adaptation: Successfully transitioned the entire event to a virtual volunteer model during the COVID-19 pandemic, preserving its spirit and impact while prioritizing health and safety.
Challenges Overcome
Executing the largest one-day volunteer event in the region came with operational, communication, and strategic challenges:
High-Volume Logistics: Coordinating 3,000+ volunteers across 100+ locations in a single day required rigorous project management and real-time problem solving.
Nonprofit Capacity Matching: Ensured that each participating nonprofit had the right number of volunteers and appropriate scope of work for maximum benefit.
Digital Transformation: Launched a new online system that significantly improved data collection, participant experience, and post-event reporting.
COVID-19 Pivot: Converted the entire event to a remote volunteer experience without losing momentum or stakeholder trust—a testament to flexibility and mission-first thinking.
Measurable Results & Impact
3,000+ Volunteers Engaged annually
110 Participating Companies across industries
123 Nonprofit Partners benefiting from day-of support
173 Projects Completed in a single day
Enhanced Community Visibility for United Way, local nonprofits, and corporate sponsors
Strengthened CSR Partnerships through high-visibility volunteer opportunities and media exposure
Why This Work Matters
The Day of Caring goes beyond feel-good volunteering—it’s an engine for corporate social responsibility, employee engagement, and nonprofit capacity-building. Events of this scale not only uplift communities but also serve as powerful tools for brand alignment, community visibility, and long-term partnership development.
My ability to manage complex logistics, engage diverse stakeholders, and adapt to crisis situations makes me a valuable asset to any organization looking to activate its community impact strategy through events and experiences.