The United Way of the Tri-Valley Area recently announced Days of Caring 2013. Volunteers are asked to give an hour or give a day to helm make a difference. Last year, 11 days and 14 projects were offered to volunteers, and 240 volunteers contributed 1,176 hours in the community.

This year, 10 projects will be offered. Volunteer opportunities are listed below. All skill levels are welcome.

Days of Caring Schedule:

* Franklin County Animal Shelter, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 29, 550 Industry Road, Farmington.

Volunteers can help paint the back of the animal shelter building and/or clear trails that surround the facility.

* Washburn-Norlands Living History Museum, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, and Wednesday, July 10, 290 Norlands Road., Livermore.

Participants can help paint 9,000 feet of white fence that surrounds the property.

* Free community yard sale, 8 a.m.-noon, Saturday, July 13, Franklin County Courthouse parking lot.

* Packs for Progress, August. Backpack packing date to be determined.

Big Lots, Mt. Blue Shopping Center, Farmington.

Join Big Lots, the United Way and Farmington Rotary as they team up to collect and fill donated school supplies and backpacks. Backpacks are made available to students with limited resources in the fall through the United Way.

* Community Energy Challenge Workshop, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept.7, at North Church, Church St., Farmington.

Volunteers can help build interior storm window panels for the North Church with the Interact group from Mt. Blue High School.

* Crossroads International Celtic Festival, Sept. 11-15, times and locations vary.

Volunteer at the Celtic Festival at any location, in a box office, selling merchandise, or in many other ways.

* Mt. Blue Cares for the Community, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at Mt. Blue Middle School and surrounding neighborhoods. For MBMS students only.

Students will participate in activities to help older adults or those with disability in surrounding neighborhoods: building interior storm window panels, raking, stacking firewood and baking food. Also, students will make button bracelets and fill care packages for our troops overseas.

* Breast Cancer “Wall Walk” Event, Friday, Oct. 25, time and location to be determined.

This journey is for anyone who has been impacted by breast cancer; survivors, family members, friends and co-workers. Participants will create their works of art during the months of July, August and September and will be invited to share their journey with others during the October Wall Walk event. Donate paint, brushes, time and make sure to attend the Wall Walk.

* Can-Art Competition, a food drive, Nov. 11-15, University of Maine at Farmington campus.

Donate non-perishable food at UMF, and then take time to view the creative sculptures students are making out of the food that has been collected.

To volunteer or for more information, call 778-5048 or email nancyteel@uwtva.org.