Empowering Change through Volunteerism: Go ALL IN Day

Go ALL IN Day is an annual event that brings thousands of volunteers together across Central Indiana, with one common goal: to support local organizations and make a positive impact in the community. With over 1,000 volunteers participating in around 80 different projects, this day of service helps strengthen the region's nonprofit organizations.

Penny Keller, Chief Development Officer at United Way of Central Indiana, emphasized the significance of Go ALL IN Day: "It’s a really big deal to us and to the community. Go All In Day brings together people from all walks of life to volunteer across a seven-county region, tackling various projects that range from sorting food at food banks to planting flowers and cleaning up public spaces."

This day of service is particularly special because it provides an opportunity for individuals to roll up their sleeves and support local nonprofits that might otherwise struggle to find the time and resources to complete critical tasks.

Penny believes that volunteering goes beyond just doing good for others. It’s also about the personal fulfillment that comes from contributing to something bigger: "Volunteering has a lot of different benefits. There’s the immediate benefit of assisting the organization you’re working with, but there’s also a real intrinsic value for yourself in terms of feeling good about the difference you’re making."

Gleaners Food Bank is one organization that benefits greatly from volunteer support. Treva Burgess, Manager of Volunteer Engagement at Gleaners, emphasized how vital volunteers are to their mission: "Volunteering helps us ensure we can meet the needs of all the families we serve. Our volunteers give enough time every year that it’s like having an additional 30 full-time staff members."