Today is a big day for United Way of the Black Hills - highlighting the importance of the organization's mission and serving as the official kickoff for the annual fundraising campaign.

Today is United Way's Day of Caring. By early afternoon, 940 volunteers will flood the Northern Hills volunteering their time and energy to help hundreds of people who just need a helping hand. Painting, gutter cleaning, minor home repairs and trimming trees will be some of the 75-plus projects volunteers take on.

"You will see that we help a lot of elderly and disabled individuals at their (homes)," said Renee Parker, executive director of United Way of the Black Hills. "Just whatever they need to have done. The projects are as varied as the people who come in."

We extend a thanks and a job well done to the United Way staff and volunteers who make this important project possible. United Way serves hundreds of people in our communities and is a valuable resource for those in need throughout the year.

Parker said Day of Caring volunteers will be wearing bright white T-shirts emblazoned with the theme for the day "Live United."

That theme, she said, is to remind people to look beyond themselves, to look at their neighbors and others to see what they can do to help.

That's what these volunteers are doing today - looking beyond themselves - and the impact it will have on so many lives is immeasurable. We're glad to see it, because that kind of caring is indicative of the community in which we live and makes it special.

United Way has been part of many communities for several decades. In Rapid City, the organization was started in 1945 to fill a growing need for help and financial support that local business owners couldn't provide. Today, it serves 43 local, nonprofit agencies in Rapid City, the Northern Hills and Sturgis.

That long reach requires funding and communities support the good work United Way does. Last year, the organization raised more than $2 million for the local communities it serves.

Like we mentioned, the 2008-09 campaign kickoff for United Way of the Black Hills is today; Sturgis and the Northern Hills will follow at a later day.

You should hear something from United Way as hundreds of volunteers and the United Way staff start their fundraising work.

This year's goals are: Rapid City - $1.8 million; Northern Hills - $185,000; and, Sturgis - $95,000.

We're confident the community and businesses will continue to support the United Way's mission. But for today, watch for the volunteers out lending a helping hand - that's the essence of the United Way mission

"I think if they just give them a honk and a wave that makes them realize people do appreciate the efforts," Parker said. "And, hopefully, it could inspire people driving by to look in their neighborhood and see who they can help as well."