United Way Norman is calling on OU students, faculty and staff to contribute to its Day of Caring event this week.

Organizers said participation from the OU community is crucial to the success of the event, a supply drive which benefits dozens of nonprofit groups in Norman.

“We couldn’t do the Day of Caring without the university,” said Emily Furney, United Way’s director of children and youth. “The students’ drive provides all the things that the agencies ask for that they can’t afford.”

Furney said this is the 10th year United Way has partnered with OU to collect items such as food and toiletries.

“The United Way saw a growing need for agencies in the community,” said Kari Dawkins, United Way volunteer coordinator and President’s Community Scholars adviser. “They knew OU would be excited to help. So they partnered with the university hoping to gain lots of needed items.”

The Day of Caring is OU’s first large-scale community service project this school year, and Dawkins said more departments are participating this year than ever have before.

“The University of Oklahoma is such a special place,” Dawkins said. “I know that if we all gave just one item to this drive ... it could make a huge impact on the community.”

The drive makes supplies available to community organizations that serve people throughout Norman.

“For example, the Center for Friends and Families can use food and diapers all year round. When a family in need can’t pay for diapers or perhaps food, they can go to this respected agency to get what they need,” Dawkins said.

There are 28 social service agencies and additional community service organizations that benefit from the Day of Caring, Furney said.

Meals on Wheels, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Transition House in Norman all receive supplies collected by United Way.

Dawkins said groups, offices, departments and students on campus should work this week to collect things such as nonperishable food items, toiletries, paper towels, diapers, clothes, books and toys.

Jana Rush, zoology junior and president of the Nonprofit Leadership Student Association is assigned to collect coloring books and utensils,” Rush said.

She said all departments that signed up to participate received a donation box this week. These donation boxes can be found on every floor in student housing, including all Greek houses. Boxes can also be found in the Student Affairs, Student Life and Leadership Development and Volunteering offices in Oklahoma Memorial Union.

The major student organizations participating are the Presidents Community Scholars, fraternities and sororities, Campus Activities Council and nonprofit student organizations.

If a student or group wants to get involved, they can bring their items to the Student affairs or the Student Life offices located in the Union.

United Way will collect all donations at 8 a.m., Friday, Sept. 12. On that day, various Norman businesses also will volunteer their time on the Day of Caring by completing projects such as painting walls, planting flowers and delivering meals.