Credit: University Photography

The United Way of Tompkins County will celebrate its 21st annual Stephen E. Garner Day of Caring and kick off its 2017-18 Community Campaign Sept. 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Stewart Park’s large pavilion. Members of the Cornell and local communities are invited to a program at noon.

The Day of Caring includes a communitywide drive to collect nonperishable food, personal care items and school supplies to benefit local residents. Donations can be dropped off in advance of the Day of Caring at boxes around campus and at the United Way of Tompkins County, 313 N. Aurora St., Ithaca. On the Day of Caring items collected are sorted and distributed to schools, pantries and nonprofits. All donations stay in Tompkins County. More information on the Day of Caring, including a list of items to donate, is available online.

On campus, the 2017-18 Cornell United Way Campaign, led by campaign chair Andy Noel, the Meakem*Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education, and co-chair Kathy Zoner, chief of the Cornell University Police, will kick off Sept. 20 at noon in Friends Hall, Hall of Fame Room. Prizes will be raffled; all Cornell community members are invited to attend.