26 Years of Making a Difference: Northwest Georgia Shows Up for Our Community!

Hundreds of volunteers. Nine incredible projects. One community coming together to make a difference!

What happens when local businesses, community leaders, students, and neighbors roll up their sleeves for a good cause? Something pretty amazing! October 19–24, United Way of Northwest Georgia celebrated our 26th Annual Make a Difference Day, bringing hundreds of volunteers together to give back across Whitfield and Murray counties. From freshening up local nonprofits and creating opportunities for children to learn and play to protecting our waterways, volunteers spent the week turning their time, talents, and generosity into meaningful change. And the best part? Every project made a difference right here at home!

Big Hearts. Helping Hands. Lasting Impact.

Make a Difference Day wouldn't be possible without the businesses and organizations that believe in the power of giving back. A special thank-you to Marketing Alliance Group, our Premier Sponsor, for contributing $5,000 in grant funding to help bring this year's projects to life! We're also grateful for our community project sponsors: Dalton Utilities, Engineered Floors, Marsh McLennan Agency | McGriff, Mohawk Industries, Shaw Industries, and United Way's Women’s Leadership Council, Young Leaders Society, and Youth United.

“For 26 years, United Way of Northwest Georgia has proudly brought our community together for Make a Difference Day,” said Amanda Burt, President of United Way of Northwest Georgia. “The generosity of our sponsors and the dedication of our volunteers continue to make a real, lasting difference in the lives of local families. United is the Way to Lasting Impact.”

Take a Look at the Difference We Made!

Nine projects, countless helping hands, and a whole lot of community spirit! Here's how our volunteers got to work:

Marketing Alliance Group | A Fresh Start for Families

There's nothing quite like feeling at home! Marketing Alliance Group partnered with The Salvation Army to purchase, organize, and stock household essentials for families entering its Transitional Housing Program. Their efforts helped create welcoming spaces for families working toward stability and independence.

Dalton Utilities | Making Spaces Shine

Dalton Utilities volunteers got to work at the Women's Enrichment Center, tackling everything from painting and furniture assembly to installing shelving and creating a welcoming children's corner. Their hard work helped make the Center an even more inviting space for the women and families it serves.

Engineered Floors | A Little TLC for Little Learners

Engineered Floors volunteers rolled up their sleeves at Whitfield County Dalton Daycare Center! With fresh paint, pressure-washed playground areas, refreshed parking lot lines, and cleaned-up flower beds, they helped make the Center brighter and more welcoming for the children who learn and play there every day.

Marsh McLennan Agency | McGriff | Growing Something Good

A little landscaping can go a long way! McGriff volunteers beautified the grounds outside one of Carter Hope Center's women's houses, helping create a welcoming environment for the women who call it home.

Mohawk Industries | Making Room for Adventure

Mohawk Industries volunteers headed outdoors at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Georgia! From clearing green spaces and improving the bike trail to building outdoor workout equipment and adding signs throughout the disc golf course, their work created more opportunities for kids and teens to get outside, stay active, and have fun.

Shaw Industries | Cleaning Up for a Greener Tomorrow

Shaw Industries volunteers joined the 31st Annual Conasauga River Watershed Clean-Up, removing litter and debris around Mill Creek at the Broaddus-Durkan Soccer Complex. Their efforts helped protect our local waterways and keep Northwest Georgia beautiful!

Our Affinity Groups Got in on the Action, Too!

United Way's Young Leaders Society, Women's Leadership Council, and Youth United proved that making a difference comes in all forms, from sharing books to caring for our environment.

Young Leaders Society | Take a Book, Leave a Book!

A new Little Free Library has arrived at John Davis Recreation Center on Civic Drive!

Young Leaders Society volunteers installed and stocked the library, creating a new opportunity for children and families to discover books, share stories, and develop a love of reading. It's a small addition with the potential to make a big difference, one book at a time!

Women's Leadership Council | Spreading the Joy of Reading

The Women's Leadership Council put their helping hands to work assembling 60 literacy kits for children and families throughout our community. Filled with resources to encourage early learning, these kits will help spark curiosity, build important skills, and inspire a lifelong love of reading.

Youth United | Young Leaders, Big Impact

Our Youth United students showed up ready to make a difference at Lakeshore Park! As part of the 31st Annual Conasauga River Watershed Clean-Up, students collected litter and debris to help protect our local waterways.

These young volunteers are proof that you don't have to wait until you're older to make a difference. You can start right now!

26 Years Later, the Power of Community Is Still Going Strong!

Make a Difference Day is about more than checking projects off a list. It's about neighbors helping neighbors, businesses investing in their communities, and volunteers giving their time to make life a little better for someone else. For 26 years, we've seen firsthand what happens when Northwest Georgia comes together. Classrooms become brighter. Families feel supported. Outdoor spaces get a fresh start. And opportunities grow for people of all ages.

To every sponsor, volunteer, community partner, and helping hand who made this year's Make a Difference Day possible, THANK YOU! You showed up. You gave back. And you reminded us why this community is so special.

United is the Way to a stronger, more resilient Northwest Georgia!

Want to make a difference beyond Make a Difference Day? There are opportunities to give back all year long! Visit www.ourunitedway.org to learn how you can get involved.