Annual event draws more than 450 people, new fundraising goal announced
United Way of Marshall County’s 28th annual Day of Caring brought together more than 450 individuals for breakfast and a day of service on Sept. 9.
The Day of Caring featured 100 service projects adopted by 48 companies and community groups. In a show of support for United Way, 23 companies and organizations also participated in a casual day by wearing United Way t-shirts.
During the breakfast event, which also kicks off the 2026 fundraising campaign, United Way Campaign Chairman Cade Smith announced the 2026 fundraising goal of $765,000.
“This goal represents much more than a dollar amount,” Smith said in his speech. “It represents hope, opportunity, and real change for thousands of individuals and families right here in our community. Reaching this goal will take all of us — local businesses, dedicated volunteers, individual donors, and community partners — coming together with a shared commitment to improving lives. Every donation, no matter the size, contributes to a stronger, more resilient community.”
Early fundraising efforts by pacesetter companies have already generated more than $355,000, which is 47% of the total goal. This year’s pacesetter companies include 4-H/Marshall County Cooperative Extension, Alatrade, Benefit Professionals & 401Safe, BPI Media Group, Cadence Bank, CASA of Marshall County, Child Advocacy Center, Childcare Resource Network, Citizens Bank & Trust, Domestic Violence Crisis Services, First Bank of Boaz, First Southern State Bank, Guntersville City Schools, Marshall County Arc, Marshall
County RSVP, Marshall-DeKalb Electric Cooperative, Paragon, Peoples Independent Bank, Progress Rail, Shepherd’s Cove Hospice, Shepherd’s Cove Foundation, Snead State Community College, Solutions Plus Bank, Weathers Furniture and Appliance.
The breakfast also featured speakers from the Marshall County Guardianship Program, a United Way partner agency that connects incapacitated adults who are wards of the court with volunteers who are appointed to advocate and help make decisions for the individual.
Taylor Burns, a United Way Loaned Executive from Paragon, delivered the invocation. Local Girl Scout Troop No. 22238 led the pledge of allegiance, and Jessica Knott, from partner agency Shepherd's Cove Hospice, sang the National Anthem.
“This day and this campaign embody the United Way mission which is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community to advance the common good,” United Way board President Melissa McKee told the breakfast crowd. “As we gather here today to celebrate the start of our campaign, I challenge each of us to do a little more – to give a little more, to volunteer a little more and to share the mission of United Way with someone new.”
United Way thanked the Day of Caring sponsors who made the event possible, including Allstate Higdon Insurance Group, Citizen’s Bank and Trust, First Bank of Boaz, Howard Bentley Buick-GMC, Kappler, Mitchell Grocery, Parker, Peoples Independent Bank, Progress Rail, Publix, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Total Dental Care, and Wayne Sanderson Farms.
View photos from the Day of Caring on the United Way of Marshall County Facebook page.