Day of Caring is United Way of the Lakeshore’s largest volunteer mobilization, bringing together businesses, nonprofits, students, and neighbors for a day of hands-on service.
From painting and beautification projects to organizing spaces and outdoor cleanups, volunteers work side by side to create visible impact in a single day.
This fall, Day of Caring continues across Oceana and Newaygo Counties — and we’re inviting the community to help shape what those days look like.
Help Build Day of Caring
We are currently accepting project nominations for both Oceana and Newaygo County Day of Caring events.
We’re looking for projects from:
Nonprofit organizations
Schools
Churches and faith-based groups
Community spaces and neighborhoods
Local clubs and service organizations
Projects should be:
Hands-on and meaningful
Designed to be completed in a single day
Able to accommodate volunteer teams
No project is too big. Our team will review submissions and help determine what can realistically be accomplished during Day of Caring.
Friday, September 11, 2026 | Oceana County
Friday, September 25, 2026 | Newaygo County
Volunteer Registration Opening Soon
Volunteer sign-ups will open later this summer for both events.
Whether you’re an individual, a family, or a workplace team, Day of Caring is an opportunity to:
Serve alongside your community
Build connections
Make a visible difference
Check back soon for registration details and project announcements.
Who Can Participate?
Day of Caring is open to everyone. Volunteers are welcome to participate as individuals or as part of a team, including:
Community members
Friends and family groups
Corporate and workplace teams
School groups and students
Nonprofit staff groups
Neighborhood associations
Service clubs and faith-based groups
No special skills are required. Projects are designed to be welcoming, accessible, and impactful. Whether you volunteer with coworkers, classmates, friends, or on your own, your time and energy help create real, visible change across Newaygo & Oceana Counties!
What the Day Looks Like:
Volunteers will begin the morning together with:
A community pancake breakfast
Welcome remarks from United Way and event sponsors
A group stretch to kick off the day
From there, volunteers will travel to assigned service projects across Newaygo & Oceana Counties.
Projects typically focus on:
Supporting local non-profit agencies
Improving parks and community spaces
Light outdoor clean-up, painting, and beautification
Organizational prep and support projects
Most projects wrap up in the early to mid-afternoon, depending on the project size and location.
Volunteer Project Placement:
Day of Caring brings hundreds of volunteers together to complete service projects across Newaygo & Oceana Counties. Because each project has a limited capacity based on the size and scope of the work, teams are not able to select their specific project location during registration.
Our team works to match individuals and groups with projects that best fit their size and abilities, while ensuring each site has the right number of volunteers to complete the work safely and successfully.
If you or someone on your team has physical limitations or accessibility needs, please note this during registration. We reserve certain project locations specifically for volunteers who may benefit from lighter-duty tasks or accessible environments.
Thank you for your flexibility and willingness to serve wherever the community needs it most.
Partner With Us
Day of Caring sponsorships offer meaningful visibility, employee engagement opportunities, and the chance to be part of one of Muskegon County’s most impactful days of service.
From presenting sponsorships to engaged sponsor opportunities, partners help power volunteer coordination, project supplies, and community impact.
Questions about Day of Caring? Let us know!
Thank You To Our Sponsors:
Newaygo County Lunch Sponsor:
