Hundreds of Volunteers Roll Up Their Sleeves to Support Kensington Neighborhood at United Way's Day of Caring

Robert J. Keyes of Enterprise Holdings Inc. named 2013 United Way Volunteer of the Year in Southeastern Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) returned to North Philadelphia today to lend a hand to friends and neighbors in need and continue its partnership with the Kensington community during its annual Day of Caring Signature Site event.

United Way's Day of Caring Signature Site kicks off the 365 Days of Caring civic engagement initiative, a year-round effort to achieve impact through corporate volunteerism. Three hundred sixty-five days of the year, United Way mobilizes volunteers in local communities to donate time and talent to help transform lives and drive measurable, lasting impact that none of us can achieve alone.

"We are proud to continue our investment in Kensington today to help improve the neighborhood alongside the residents who call this community home," said Jill Michal, president and CEO of UWGPSNJ. "Volunteerism is at the heart of what it means to LIVE UNITED, so what better place to recognize our Volunteer of the Year than our annual Day of Caring?"  

The community event kicked off with a brief program and awards presentation at Hissey Park. In the spirit of community and corporate volunteerism, Robert J. Keyes, vice president and general manager of Enterprise Holdings Inc. was honored with the prestigious 2013 United Way Volunteer of the Year Award in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Serving as an active board member, Tocqueville donor, and member of United Way's Southeastern Pennsylvania Campaign Cabinet, Keyes has been a strong advocate and spokesperson for United Way's mission since 2007. He has been instrumental in leading successful strategic, development and volunteer initiatives, such as launching the Greater Philadelphia Corporate Volunteer Council and engaging Enterprise as a sponsoring partner of United Way volunteer events.  

Following the program, a total of 300 community members and corporate volunteers from event sponsors Independence Blue Cross, Vanguard, SAP, Deloitte LLC, Altria Group, the Dow Chemical Company, Enterprise Holdings Inc., Saint Joseph's University and US Airways planted bulbs and trees, cleaned park areas, sorted and packed school supplies and tools for local teachers, and participated in a community resource fair.

"It is vital for us to come together as a community to help address serious issues faced by this Kensington neighborhood, starting with cleaning up recreational areas to help create a better quality of life and a safe space for residents to enjoy," said Maria D. Quinones-Sanchez, councilwoman, 7th District. "We need to build off the momentum established today during United Way's Day of Caring and work to maintain these efforts on a year-round basis."

To learn more about volunteer opportunities with United Way, visit unitedforimpact.org/volunteer.

About United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, serving communities in Pennsylvania's Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey's Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and Cumberland counties , is part of a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and in people's lives. United Way engages the community to identify the underlying causes of the most significant local issues, develops strategies and pulls together financial and human resources to address them, and measures the results. United Way is advancing the common good in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey by positively impacting the lives of people throughout the region in the areas of education, income, and health. For more information, visit unitedforimpact.org.

SOURCE United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey