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.