ELIZABETHTOWN — Four area organizations are teaming up to tackle volunteer service projects.

On Oct. 2, United Way of Bladen County, the Bladen Baptist Association, Bladen County Division on Aging, and Specialty Product Technologies will be partnering in the annual Day of Caring, a United Way effort to improve local communities.

“Our success depends on your support by donations and volunteers,” said Day of Caring coordinator Barbara Knight.

Three separate projects are underway. The first, the building of 14 wheelchair ramps, will take place at locations around the county.

“If you don’t know how to build ramps, we’ll have someone there to train you,” Knight remarked. “We always have a lead person who knows what to do.”

Knight said two things are helpful — if volunteers will call and let her know they plan to help build ramps, and if they have tools they can bring. Even if neither are possible, however, volunteers are still welcome to help. Knight said the number of wheelchair ramps requires approximately 100 people.

For the second project, participants will visit four Bladen County nursing homes and play games and activities with the residents. Approximately 500 gift bags are being prepared with writing pads, pens, combs, and hygiene items that will be distributed during visitation. Anyone willing to donate items for the gift bags may drop them off at the Elizabethtown Fire Department on Swanzy Street prior to the event.

“The students in the nursing program at Bladen Community College are going to prepare the bags for us on Friday,” Knight said, “so if someone wants to donate items before then, I’ll be glad to come pick up the donations.”

At any time prior to Oct. 2, donations can be dropped off at the Elizabethtown Fire Department.

The final project involves Bladen County students.

“What we’re trying to do is make sure they have food to eat on the weekend,” Knight explained. “Some of these kids might not have any food except what they get at school, and we want to make sure they have two breakfasts and three meals for the weekend when they’re at home.”

The partnering organizations are hosting a food drive at the Cape Fear Farmers Market. Pop-top items, canned food, instant grits or oatmeal, pop-tarts, juice boxes, or cereal bars are all needed items. Donors can bring food items to the farmers market on the Day of Caring or drop them at the fire department in advance.

Monetary donations are always welcome, according to Knight, and supporters donating $100 or more will be recognized on a banner posted at the Cape Fear Farmers Market.

All volunteers should meet at the Cape Fear Farmers Market on Monday, Oct. 2 at 8:30 a.m, when food will be collected and bagged and teams assigned.

Anyone having general questions or wanting to inquire about sponsorships can contact Knight at 910-876-1535 or by email at eeknightbk@yahoo.com.

Chrysta Carroll can be reached by calling 910-862-4163 or emailing ccarroll@s24515.p831.sites.pressdns.com.

Chrysta Carroll

Bladen Journal