ForKids Welcomes Volunteers from Across Hampton Roads for Day of Caring

ForKids joined nonprofits, businesses, and individuals across the region on Friday, Sept. 26, for the United Way of South Hampton Roads’ 2025 Day of Caring. The community-focused event brought together more than 900 volunteers who completed over 50 projects at more than 40 nonprofit sites.

At ForKids, volunteers from longtime supporters at Checkered Flag spearheaded a significant effort to support the organization’s education programs. The team collected and assembled art supply kits that will be distributed to students enrolled in ForKids’ educational services.

The initiative unfolded in two phases. First, Checkered Flag volunteers gathered hundreds of art supplies, including erasers, pencils, colored pencils, markers, sharpeners, scissors, glue sticks, and sketchbooks. Then, on the Day of Caring, the team assembled 200 backpacks filled with these essential materials.

These supplies represent far more than classroom materials at ForKids, where art serves as a therapeutic tool across all curricula.

“At ForKids, art is more than something beautiful to create: It’s a powerful tool for emotional regulation and trauma processing,” said Karen Sekulski, Volunteer Engagement Manager at ForKids. “We intentionally foster bright, welcoming environments for everyone we serve, while recognizing that creative expression can be transformative for individuals navigating extremely challenging circumstances.”

Dena Corr, Vice President of Human Resources at Checkered Flag, said the experience was rewarding.

“I am proud of our Checkered Flag team for making Day of Caring 2025 a huge success!” Corr said. “Our team rises to the challenge with their donations and their time because caring isn’t just a feeling, it’s about showing up. When we come together to support our community, we make a real difference in people’s lives, one act of kindness at a time.”

The day’s volunteer efforts extended beyond art supply assembly. Teams from the Suffolk Police Department and Sheriff’s Office and Hampton Roads Transit joined ForKids at the Birdsong Center in Suffolk, completing essential fall clean-up work in preparation for upcoming year-end and holiday drives.

“Day of Caring is truly a day of community,” said Mikayla Hume, Director of Volunteerism for United Way of South Hampton Roads. “On a single day, hundreds of volunteers complete projects at nonprofits and agencies across the South Hampton Roads region (organizing, construction, painting, cleaning, landscaping, etc.), connecting community members together in service. We are so grateful to be able to partner with ForKids every year for Day of Caring, and they are always so gracious to allow volunteers into their space.”

ForKids staff emphasized the reciprocal nature of the partnership and the critical role volunteers play in the organization’s mission.

“Volunteers are the superheroes of our programs throughout the year,” said Mary Crosby, ForKids’ Director of Development. “Day of Caring represents something larger than a single service event. It connects us to the broader community and reflects the remarkable spirit of philanthropy and collective care that defines Hampton Roads.”