1,300 Volunteers. 41 Project Sites. One Day!
How Sheboygan County Volunteers Gave Back on Day of Caring
On September 25th, 2025 the Sheboygan County community came together once again for our largest single day of volunteerism — United Way of Sheboygan County’s 2025 Day of Caring.
This year, 1,300 volunteers rolled up their sleeves to give back across 41 different project sites countywide — from painting and gardening to sorting donations and helping our local nonprofits with much-needed maintenance and support. Together, these volunteers dedicated 4,800 hours of service, representing at least 29 local companies and organizations, plus several individuals and retirees who volunteered on their own.
Thanks to United Way’s $12,100 in project site grants, each participating nonprofit agency had the resources and supplies they needed to host volunteers and complete their projects.
The results? A huge collective impact.
Based on the current national value of volunteer time ($34.79/hour, according to Independent Sector), the total economic impact of this year’s Day of Caring is an astounding $166,992 — all invested right here in Sheboygan County, all on one day.
Nearly 300 volunteers help Habitat for Humanity Lakeside to kick-off their annual "Rock The Block" event on Day of Caring. This year, the event helped to improve homes and beautify the neighborhood near downtown Plymouth.
A New Kind of Collaboration: Sheridan Elementary Joins the Effort
This year also marked an exciting first in the 11-year history of Day of Caring — a collaboration with a local school. Every student and teacher at Sheridan Elementary School in the Sheboygan Area School District took part in the day.
Throughout the week, students worked with their “reading buddies” to create hundreds of handmade cards and messages of appreciation for local volunteers at organizations like Habitat for Humanity Lakeside, Sheboygan Co. Warming Center, and Sheboygan Co. Food Bank.
Pictured above: Students from Sheridan Elementary, the first elementary schools to participate in Day of Caring, create heartfelt bilingual cards for local volunteers, spreading gratitude.
Sheridan Principal Amy Buffington shared, “A few years ago, Habitat for Humanity gave back to our school by remodeling our staff lounge, and we wanted to pay it forward to some of the many incredible community partnerships we have in Sheboygan.”
As a bilingual school, many of the students’ heartfelt messages were written in both English and Spanish, spreading kindness and gratitude across our community in more ways than one.
Volunteers Share Their Hearts and Their Stories
Every individual who participates in Day of Caring has a story. This year, volunteers shared stories of connection, teamwork, and the simple joy of giving back.
Across Sheboygan County, volunteers shared laughter, swapped stories, and rolled up their sleeves to make a difference. One volunteer summed it up perfectly: “I love that I get paid to volunteer and give back to the community.”
For many, the day was a chance to step away from the office and reconnect with one another. “Spending time with coworkers and doing something that feels good and makes a difference,” one participant said. Others discovered new corners of our community — “Learning more about the site and history of Camp Anokijig,” while another enjoyed “helping out, the physical work, and getting out from behind the desk.”
This year also marked a first for the Richardson Hospice Resale Store in Sheboygan Falls, whose proceeds support Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice. Their team shared how meaningful it was to take part in Day of Caring for the very first time, saying: “[We are] so grateful for United Way of Sheboygan County and Day of Caring! A big thank you to the enthusiastic and hardworking group from Sargento who shared their time and talent with us!”
To hear even more about the heart behind the day, listen to our Volunteer Center Director, Lisa Finney, as she shares highlights and stories from this year’s event on B93 Sheboygan’s Country: Tune in here.
Volunteers and community leaders join together at Peace Park on the shores of Lake Michigan in Sheboygan to give back during Day of Caring. Pictured from left to right: Ellie Meyers (Sheboygan County Chamber & United Way Board Member), Kate Baer (President & CEO, United Way of Sheboygan County), Mary Koczan (Friends of Peace Park), and Trisha Erpelding (Director of Fundraising, United Way of Sheboygan County).
Celebrating Together: Highlights from Day of Caring After Party
After a full day of giving back, volunteers and community partners came together to celebrate at 3 Sheeps Brewing in Sheboygan for our annual Day of Caring After Party.
The event featured lively music from DJ Derek John Buechel, a delicious brat fry courtesy of Johnsonville members, and plenty of fun with games and activities hosted by United Way’s NextGen Leaders.
And of course, no Day of Caring celebration would be complete without the mascot race — always a crowd favorite! This year’s race featured a spirited lineup including Sarge (Sargento), Captain Curd (Masters Gallery Foods), Tubbie (Kohler Co.), A1 (Sheboygan A’s), Gauge (Vollrath), Leo the Chemist (PLENCO), Captain Clean (Rockline Industries), and Brat Man (Johnsonville).
To relive the excitement and see who took home the trophy, check out the race highlights here.
A big thank you to our NextGen Leaders for their energy and creativity in organizing games, activities, and fun at the Day of Caring After Party, held at 3 Sheeps Brewing in Sheboygan. Pictured above: Amanda Ecker (Johnsonville), Jesse Ramos (Johnsonville), Ryan Wilinski (United Way), Nicole Brown (Kohler Co.), Kayla Romanoski (CCA Global Partners), McKenzie Urbina (Sheboygan Co.), Meagan Van Ahn (United Way), Paige Meyer (Rockline).
More Than a Day: Event Kicks of a Season of Giving to United Way
Day of Caring is so much more than just one day of giving back. It’s a reflection of what makes Sheboygan County special. When businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations, retirees and individuals come together to lend a hand, we show our community what United Way is all about.
This day is not only about inspiring our community to get involved, learn more, and give of their time — it also serves as the kickoff to our big United Way giving season, during which many local workplaces run their giving “campaigns” to help raise money for and awareness of local community needs.
To every volunteer and nonprofit partner who made this year’s event possible, we are so grateful. Your time, energy, and compassion continue to build a stronger, more connected Sheboygan County for everyone.
The Day of Caring mascot lineup celebrates after a spirited race! Representing some of Sheboygan County’s Top 10 most generous workplaces — including Rockline (#7), Sargento (#1), Kohler (#2), PLENCO (#5), Masters Gallery (#4), Johnsonville (#3) — these mascots show that giving back is always a team effort.
We’re also grateful to our generous in-kind supporters who helped keep our volunteers energized throughout the day — Torke Coffee for providing coffee packets for every project site, Lakeside Pepsi for donating 55 cases of Aquafina water, and Old Wisconsin for supplying 1,300 Yumbo meat sticks to keep everyone fueled and ready to serve.
We also want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible 2025 Day of Caring sponsors whose support made this day possible:
Diamond Sponsor:
Muth Company
Platinum Sponsors:
Johnsonville
Masters Gallery
Midwest Communications, Sheboygan Area stations including WHBL and B93 Sheboygan’s Country
National Exchange Bank & Trust
Gold Sponsors:
Bemis Manufacturing
HSAbank
Koher Co.
Nemak
Sargento
Silver Sponsors:
3 Sheeps Brewing
Froedert & Medical College of Wisconsin
Sartori
UnitedOne Credit Union
Van Horn Auto
Bronze Sponsors:
Engaged Marketing & Apparel
Kohler Credit Union
Rockline Industries
