United Way Youth Day of Caring Participants Spruced Up Gabis Arboretum

United Way Youth Day of Caring Participants Spruced Up Gabis Arboretum

United Way of Porter County hosted its Youth Day of Caring event on Saturday, April 21 at Gabis Arboretum.

More than 50 high school students from Lake and Porter Counties tackled a variety of projects including pulling invasive species, trail cleanup and mulching plant beds.

"We’re so proud of these young philanthropists," said Kim Olesker, president and CEO of United Way of Porter County. “Events like these help cultivate a giving spirit.”

The event is part of United Way’s Regional Volunteer Center program to help teens develop a love for philanthropy through service. Students from Boone Grove High School, Chesterton High School, Clark Middle/High School, Hobart High School, Light House College Prep Academy, Morgan Township, Portage High School, Valpo High School and Wheeler High School joined in the event.

Students were treated to a concert and cookout, also volunteer driven, after a long morning of sprucing up the arboretum.

“I like to volunteer that day because if we can make it a nice day for the kids we can hopefully instill a culture of giving back to our community in our youth for generations to come,” said Jeff Meyers, one of many volunteers who showed up to assist with the cookout.

To learn more about volunteer, visit nwivolunteer.org.