During its annual Day of Caring Thursday, United Way of Dane County announced a fundraising goal of $19 million for its 2026 Community Campaign.

UWDC said in a press release the goal was set by analyzing community data, understanding its greatest needs, and recent conversations with hundreds of business and community leaders.

The annual Day of Caring, which attracted over 900 volunteers, is considered the kickoff of the organization’s annual fundraising efforts. Jeff Tubbs, executive vice president at Findorff, is serving as the United Way 2026 campaign chair.

MIDDLETON, Wis. (WKOW) — Volunteers and community members joined for the United Way of Dane County “Day of Caring” Thursday, which kicks off the start of the 2026 campaign season.

People put together thousands of “ImPacks,” or essential care kits for local families.

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – A record number of volunteers turned out in Dane County Thursday for United Way’s annual “Day of Caring.”

United Way said 1,100 people showed up for the event.

Volunteers spent the afternoon at the Madison Marriott West packing thousands of care kits for local families in need.

The kits, called “ImPACKs,” are filled with paper products, menstrual hygiene items and healthy snacks.

United Way of Dane County is hosting its annual Day of Caring on Aug. 20 at Madison Marriott West from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

MIDDLETON (WKOW) — United Way of Dane County is hosting its annual Day of Caring on Aug. 20 at Madison Marriott West, bringing together hundreds of volunteers to assemble thousands of care kits for local families.

The event runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 1313 John Q. Hammons Drive in Middleton. This marks a change from previous years, when the event was held outdoors in all kinds of weather.

Volunteers will assemble ImPacks — bags filled with items most requested by Dane County families and nonprofit partners. This year’s event includes assembling 4,000 paper product ImPacks, 3,000 menstrual hygiene ImPacks and 2,000 healthy snack ImPacks.

Volunteers can also write notes of encouragement to seniors to provide older adults in the community a sense of connection. The event aims to produce 1,000 notes of encouragement to include with ImPacks.

The assembled care kits will be distributed to United Way nonprofit partners including Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, Porchlight, The Road Home of Dane County, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin and WayForward Resources.

The United Way of Dane County is calling on community members to roll up their sleeves and make a difference during its annual Day of Caring, one of the largest volunteer events in Dane County. The event will kick off the organization’s 2026 Community Campaign on Thursday, Aug. 20, 1-3 p.m. at the Madison Marriott West, 1313 John Q. Hammons Drive in Middleton.

The annual event will bring together hundreds of volunteers from across the community to assemble thousands of ImPacks — essential care kits filled with the items most frequently requested by United Way’s nonprofit partners. The kits will be distributed to local families and individuals facing financial hardship throughout Dane County.

The United Way of Dane County is rounding up its volunteer troops for its annual Day of Caring, equal parts community service initiative and friendly competition.

From 1 to 3 p.m. on August 20, hundreds of volunteers will form a human conveyor belt to assemble ImPacks, essential kits for those in need. The day’s mission is to assemble 4,000 paper product ImPacks, 3,000 menstrual hygiene ImPacks, 2,000 healthy snack ImPacks and at least 1,000 notes bearing words of encouragement for ImPack recipients.

United Way of Dane County will hold its annual Day of Caring on Aug. 20 at the Madison Marriott West, 1313 John Q. Hammons Drive in Middleton.

The event will launch United Way’s 2026 Community Campaign season.

Members of the community are invited to volunteer at the Day of Caring event, where thousands of ImPacks will be assembled. The packs, for local families, are essential care kits containing items most requested by the United Way’s nonprofit partners.

Day of Caring, one of the largest volunteer events in Dane County, also will include opportunities to learn about challenges in the Greater Madison community and the work being done to address them.

The event is hosted by United Way of Dane County’s Business Volunteer Network.