INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — More than 500 volunteers fanned out across Indian River County on Saturday to mark the 30th annual United Way Day of Caring, completing dozens of service projects aimed at supporting local nonprofits, schools and public spaces.
The event, presented by Publix Super Markets, drew 550 participants who tackled 51 projects in Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fellsmere. Organizers said the day underscored decades of community collaboration, with volunteers contributing about 2,200 hours of service.
What started 30 years ago as a modest volunteer drive has grown into a countywide tradition, United Way officials said. The day kicked off at Holman Stadium in the Jackie Robinson Training Complex, where volunteers enjoyed a free breakfast featuring sandwiches from Odom, Conrado Enterprises-McDonald’s, juice from Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company and coffee from Coffee House 1420. A pep rally and warm-up session led by TBLB Fitness set the tone before teams dispersed…