Roll up your sleeves. The United Way of Tompkins County is kicking off its 1997 campaign Sept. 17 with a "Day of Caring," which could become a new tradition.

Instead of hoopla about campaign goals, which are still important, volunteers are needed to paint rooms, wash windows and clean yards for United Way agencies.

How can we assist donors, employees and corporations in giving their time to agencies? How do we provide more visibility for the impact of dollars donated through United Way campaigns?

"Those are questions we have struggled with on and off campus," said Janiece Bacon Oblak, chair of the Cornell University campus campaign. "The Day of Caring concept has had a positive response in other communities. Volunteers, agencies, corporations and the United Ways all felt good about their experiences, so we decided to demonstrate the impact of United Way agencies by encouraging action. Our first Day of Caring is an excellent way to focus attention on the needs of United Way agencies by having local businesses release some of their employees to do volunteer work," Oblak said. "We hope it will become an annual event."

At Cornell, staff and faculty who want to do hands-on work at community agencies will be given paid release time, contingent on approval from their supervisors, for the afternoon's volunteer work. In this pilot year, two teams of 10 Cornell volunteers will meet at noon at the United Way Building, 313 N. Aurora St. They will have lunch at the United Way building and then be assigned to a specific work site either at one of the United Way agencies or at the United Way building itself. After completing their assignments, the Cornell volunteers will join those from other businesses in Stewart Park at 4 p.m., where there will be refreshments and an opportunity to share their experiences from the day's volunteering.

To participate in the Day of Caring, employees need to contact Kris Minor in the Office of the Cornell Commitment, 255-8595, 107 Day Hall, <kam2@cornell.edu>, once they have confirmed release time from their supervisors. Coincidentally, this Day of Caring is taking place during Cornell's first annual Employee Appreciation Week, and it provides an excellent opportunity for employees, the university and the local community to have a deeper appreciation of the ways they can meet critical needs in the community by working together.