The United Way of Henry County & Martinsville held its Day of Action event Friday, Sept. 12, bringing volunteers together for a full day of community service. The event began with a catered breakfast at New College Institute, followed by the 2025-26 Campaign Kickoff Ceremony, which included awards for several local businesses.
“Our Day of Action mobilizes our community to take action while celebrating those who are dedicated to help overcome our area’s greatest challenges,” said Communications & Outreach Coordinator Elizabeth Carter Bailey. “Partnered organizations stand with United Way of Henry County and Martinsville in servicing community needs in the areas of health, youth opportunity, and financial security.”
The United Way’s campaign goal for the 2025-26 season is $480,000, of which $146,935.67, or 30.6%, has already been raised. Volunteers participating in the Day of Action contributed more than 450 hours of service in a single day.
Projects completed by volunteers included:
*Meal Preparation with the Salvation Army: Volunteers prepared meals for visitors and helped sort goods in the kitchen.
*School Supply Organization at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge: Volunteers organized materials for local club members.
*Community Spruce-Up with the MHC Historical Society: Volunteers detailed and cleaned the interior of the MHC Heritage Museum and spruced up exterior flowerbeds.
*Fresh Space & Full Hearts at Henry County Food Pantry: Volunteers sorted and organized donated goods.
*Sports Complex Spruce-Up with Henry County Parks & Recreation: Volunteers focused on weeding and laying mulch.
*Pollinator Garden Pick-Up at Piedmont Arts: Volunteers planted 50 trees, installed signage, and mulched along the Pollinator Path.
*Property Maintenance for Piedmont Community Services: Volunteers pressure-washed and cleared gutters at PCS recovery residences.
*Goods Transport with Begins With You: Volunteers transported non-perishable food items to the Henry County Food Pantry and assisted with sorting.
*Library Clean-Up at Blue Ridge Regional Library: Volunteers detail-cleaned and organized bookshelves, tables, toys, and electronics.
*Gardening at Spencer Penn Centre: Volunteers prepared the community garden for fall planting.
*Paint Refresh at Preston Community Center: Volunteers brightened community spaces with fresh coats of paint.
*Letter Preparation at United Way of Henry County and Martinsville: Volunteers prepared 140 letters by hand for distribution to current supporters.
This year’s Day of Action efforts benefited the P&HCC Patriot Pantry (supported by ValleyStar Credit Union, Bassett Office Supply, and Henry County), the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge (supported by ValleyStar Credit Union), and the Patrick County Food Bank (supported by the Martinsville-Henry & Patrick County Association of Realtors).
Those interested in supporting local efforts, including the annual Day of Action, can pledge at www.UnitedWayofHCM.org and select “Donate.” For updates, follow United Way on Facebook and Instagram.
