Submitted photo Temmie Stangel washing windows for the United Way Day of Caring.

NEW ULM — The United Way of the Brown County Area is gearing up to hold its first ever Spring Day of Caring.

Each year the United Way organizes a fall Day of Caring in October, but this past year the Day of Caring was canceled due to an early snowstorm. This left a lot of projects undone for many Brown County senior citizens and those with disabilities, who rely on teams of volunteers to help keep them in their homes. So, the United Way decided to start planning its first ever Spring Day of Caring to get any fall projects that still needed to be done finished, and to help with some outdoor Spring projects at the same time.

United Way will still be limiting teams to only 10 or less, requiring masks be worn, and only doing outside projects, as to protect from the spread of COVID-19.

The United Way cannot do this alone. It is looking for businesses, churches, clubs, and organizations to form teams of 10 or fewer who can volunteer one day, May 1st from 8 a.m. to noon, to make a big difference in their communities. Jobs include yard work, cleaning outside windows, minor painting jobs (weather permitting) and more. The gratitude that friends and neighbors have for these services makes the morning of work so worthwhile.

The United Way is especially looking for teams in Springfield and Sleepy Eye. To sign up a team or as an individual to be placed on a team, go to: https://www.unitedwaybrowncountyarea.org/spring-day-caring-team-registration or call the United Way office at 354-6512.

If you or someone you know needs help with a small outside project, go to the Day of Caring website Page: https://www.unitedwaybrowncountyarea.org/day-caring to see what projects are eligible and to fill out and return the project registration form no later than April 19th.

United Way will not be able to guarantee a team will be available to complete a project if we receive the forms after that date. Registration forms can be mailed out by request, just call 507-354-6512 and leave a name and address of where to send the paperwork.

Or call / email the United Way: UnitedWay@newulmtel.net or 507-354-6512.