United Way Day of Action 2026 to Revitalize Mohawk Valley Parks

Community volunteers, businesses, and local leaders will join forces on June 17 to clean and beautify public spaces across the Mohawk Valley.

The United Way Day of Action 2026 is set to bring hundreds of volunteers together across the Mohawk Valley to improve parks, trails, and neighborhood spaces. Organized by United Way of the Mohawk Valley (UWMV) in partnership with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, the annual event will take place on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The initiative highlights how community partnerships can create cleaner, safer, and more welcoming public spaces for local families and residents.

Volunteers Unite for Community Improvement

United Way of the Mohawk Valley’s Day of Action has become a signature event that demonstrates the power of volunteerism. This year’s effort brings together corporate partners, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and local leaders with a shared goal of improving public spaces throughout the region.

Working alongside the City of Utica and Keep Mohawk Valley Beautiful (KMVB), volunteers will participate in cleanup and beautification projects designed to enhance community gathering spaces and recreational areas.

The event reflects United Way’s broader mission of strengthening communities through collaboration and service.

O’Connor Park Named Featured Volunteer Site

Media outlets and community members are encouraged to visit the event’s primary volunteer location at O’Connor Park in Utica.

Featured Site Information

• Location: O’Connor Park, 604 Plymouth Place, Utica, NY

• Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

• Featured Sponsor: Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

O’Connor Park will serve as the central media location, offering opportunities to capture volunteer activities, community engagement, and interviews with participants and organizers.

Volunteers from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield will be working on-site, helping improve the park while demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to community service.

Cleanup Projects Across the Mohawk Valley

While O’Connor Park serves as the featured location, cleanup activities will take place at several sites throughout the region.

Utica Locations

• O’Connor Park

• Quinn Park

• North Utica Park

• Cinderella Park

• Seymour Park

Herkimer County Location

• Ilion Community Garden

These sites were selected because they serve as important gathering places for families, children, and residents. Keeping them clean and well-maintained contributes to neighborhood pride and quality of life.

Businesses and Organizations Step Up

A wide range of businesses and community organizations will participate in this year’s Day of Action.

Participating Partners

• AmeriCU

• Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

• GPO Federal Credit Union

• NBT Bank

• Arc Herkimer

• The Hartford

• Upstate Caring Partners

• 50 Forward

• UGEFCU

The involvement of these organizations highlights the growing role that businesses play in supporting local communities beyond traditional charitable donations.

Their employees will contribute time and effort directly to projects that benefit residents across the Mohawk Valley.

Why Community Cleanups Matter

Public parks and community spaces are more than recreational areas. They serve as gathering places where families connect, children play, and neighbors build relationships.

Research consistently shows that clean and attractive public spaces can:

• Encourage outdoor recreation and physical activity

• Improve neighborhood pride

• Enhance public safety perceptions

• Support community engagement

• Improve overall quality of life

Events like Day of Action help address immediate community needs while also fostering a culture of volunteerism and civic responsibility.

As United Way of the Mohawk Valley notes, collective action can create meaningful change when community members work together toward a common goal.

Supporting the Effort Through Day of Action T-Shirts

Residents who want to support the initiative have another way to contribute.

United Way is offering Day of Action T-shirts for $20 each. Proceeds from shirt sales will help fund cleanup supplies, project materials, and other event-related expenses.

This fundraising effort allows community members who may not be able to volunteer in person to still play a role in supporting the event’s success.

Additional information is available at unitedwaymv.org/2026dayaction.

Volunteer Appreciation Lunch to Follow

Following the morning cleanup efforts, volunteers, sponsors, and organizers will gather for a thank-you lunch.

Lunch Details

• Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

• Location: Cedar Pavilion, Sherrill Brook Park

The appreciation event will provide an opportunity to recognize volunteers for their contributions and celebrate the impact of the day’s work.

Lunch will be provided by event sponsor Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina’s.

Media representatives are also invited to attend the luncheon to capture additional interviews and event coverage.

A Tradition of Service in the Mohawk Valley

United Way of the Mohawk Valley continues to play a vital role in addressing community needs through funding, partnerships, and volunteer engagement.

The organization focuses on three primary impact areas:

• Health and wellness

• Community responsiveness

• Economic stability

Through initiatives like Day of Action, United Way helps mobilize local residents and organizations to create tangible improvements throughout the region.

“Our communities are strongest when people come together to help one another,” is a message reflected in events like Day of Action, where volunteers from different backgrounds unite around a common purpose.

For many participants, the event is not simply about cleaning a park. It is about investing in neighborhoods, strengthening community connections, and demonstrating pride in the Mohawk Valley.

Building Stronger Communities Together

The 2026 United Way Day of Action serves as a reminder that meaningful change often begins with simple acts of service. Whether picking up litter, beautifying a community garden, or supporting the effort through a T-shirt purchase, every contribution helps improve public spaces that residents use every day.

As volunteers gather across Utica and Herkimer County on June 17, their work will leave a visible impact that extends beyond a single morning. The event showcases the power of partnership, civic engagement, and community pride throughout the Mohawk Valley.

Residents interested in volunteering, supporting the initiative, or learning more can visit www.unitedwaymv.org/2026dayaction for additional details.