Book Drive: Hosting a book drive supplies new and gently used books for children in Westchester and Putnam. Donated books are used for United2Read literacy kits, the Summer Backpack Program are donated to nonprofit organizations and schools.  

Group Size: 1 or more people  

Book Sorting: Schedule a time from 9am-5pm Monday-Friday to visit our office and sort book donations by age group or pick up books and sort at your location. 

Group Size: 2-5 people  

Born Learning Trail: Born Learning is a public engagement campaign that helps parents, grandparents, and caregivers explore ways to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities. The Born Learning Trail is a series of 10 bilingual interactive signs, each with an activity to engage caregivers and children. For example, the “See, Say, Point, Read” sign instructs caregivers to point to the letters of the alphabet painted on the ground and say the sound each letter makes. Then, think of words that start with A, B, or C. Then, point to a tree and say “I see a tree. What rhymes with tree?”  

Volunteers can support this project by purchasing the necessary materials and organizing a group to install the trail. Installation of the trail includes inserting posts into the ground, attaching corresponding signage and painting engaging designs on the sidewalk.  

Group Size: 10-15 people  

Cost: $3,750 (materials)  

Location: Outdoors  

Essential Goods for Basic Needs (EGBN) Sorting: United Way of Westchester and Putnam facilitates donations of goods from businesses and retail partners to local nonprofits, who then make these items available to those in need within the community. These include baby items, books, bedding, clothing, electronics, home goods, personal care items, toys, school supplies, etc. Volunteers can schedule a time between 9am-5pm Monday-Friday to visit our office and help sort these donations before they are distributed to nonprofit partners.  

Group Size: 5-10 people 

Essential Goods for Basic Needs (EGBN) Drive: Volunteers can host a workplace drive to collect donations of baby items, bedding, clothing, electronics, home goods, personal care items, toys, school supplies.  

Group Size: 1 or more people  

Holiday: Volunteers can sponsor items or host office drives associated with Holiday costs (ex. Christmas trees, holiday decorations, or toys).  

Group Size: 1 or more people 

Sumer Backpack Program: The costs associated with back to school are a burden to families who identify as ALICE. The average cost of school supplies and a new backpack are at a record high because of inflation and are priced well over $100 per child. Hosting a backpack drive or planning for a day to sort and stuff backpacks in partnership with United Way is a great way to give back to the Westchester and Putnam communities while also helping shape the future of young learners.  

Group Size: 10-12 people  

United2Read Literacy Kits: Designed specifically for early learning ages 0-5; Literacy kits include 3 books, activity sheets, 211 information sheet, 100 Days of Learning cards and resources from community organizations that are committed to supporting early reading skill development. Volunteers can host an event to assemble literacy kits that are then distributed to our partnering community organizations and nonprofits.  

Group Size: 10-20