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3 Days of Caring in Pittsburgh Begins Wednesday

Volunteers from the Pittsburgh community will be welcoming kindergarten students to their first day of class at six local elementary schools as a way to launch an expanded United Way Day of Caring.

Robert Nelkin, President of the United Way of Allegheny County, said the first Day of Caring was held in 1991 and focused on mobilizing volunteers in the spirit of service. Since then, it has expanded to several days, usually spread out over the course of the year.

“This year we decided to do something new, to rebirth the launch Days of Caring,” said Nelkin. “So on these first three days of the campaign we’ll have a couple thousand people who will be helping their neighbors.”

Nelkin said the second Day of Caring, Thursday, would be highlighted by the Annual Women’s Leadership Council Breakfast. He said Allegheny County has one of the few United Way chapters with a Women’s Leadership Council.

“In the last five years it’s actually doubled in size. It’s 20 percent bigger than it was last year,” said Nelkin. “It’s composed of women philanthropists, women who give at least $1,000 to the United Way. And it’s one of the largest in the nation.”

He said the council is kick starting their United for Women campaign, which will help women facing financial instability because of life changing events.

Friday's Day of Caring, which will be the last of this set of three, will have volunteers exercising and sharing healthy snacks with seniors at the Vintage Senior Center in East Liberty.