By Michael Tukeva, President/CEO, Pocono Mountains United Way 

A measure of a community is how much it cares. 

This year, more than 350 volunteers descended across Monroe County for Pocono Mountains United Way’s Day of Caring, our county’s largest day of volunteerism. That is nearly double the impact of last year. 

But the true measure of the day will not be found in numbers alone. 

It will be found in every wall painted, meal packed, garden restored, room organized, and neighbor encouraged. A good deed becomes a ripple. A kind word travels into the life of another person. When hundreds of people choose to care at the same time, those ripples become shockwaves. 

The people touched by Day of Caring may never know the names of the volunteers who served them. But they will remember how they were made to feel. Seen. Valued. Supported. Less alone. 

That is the heart of United Way. 

Most of us can remember a moment when someone offered help, encouragement, or hope. Day of Caring gives each of us the opportunity to become that person for someone else. 

We are not simply volunteering. We are showing Monroe County who we are. 

We are UNITED IN STRENGTH. 

Interested in supporting Pocono Mountains United Way? Make a Donation Today!

View Day of Caring Photos and Event Highlights at https://poconounitedway.org/hospitalitygivesback/

View our 2026 Campaign Video below to see the impact that Pocono Mountains United Way, and amazing supporters like you, have on our community…