Marlow Auto Group Joins 1,000 Volunteers for United Way Day of Caring in Strengthening Our Community

September 2025 | Winchester, Virginia: On Friday, September 12, 2025, the Northern Shenandoah Valley came alive with the spirit of service during the annual United Way Day of Caring. More than 1,000 volunteers stepped away from their daily routines to participate. They rolled up their sleeves to complete hands-on projects at over 75 local nonprofits across Winchester, Frederick County, Clarke County, Warren County, Shenandoah County, and Page County. Among them was the Marlow Auto Group team. With six enthusiastic volunteers, we proudly participated in this year’s Community Baby Shower. This initiative directly supports families in need by providing essential items for newborns and young children.

United Way Day of Caring

Day of Caring isn’t just another volunteer event. It’s a day where neighbors come together to lend their time, skills, and energy to strengthen the community. From painting and repairing to planting and cleaning, volunteers undertake projects that nonprofits often struggle to complete due to limited budgets and staff. For Marlow Auto Group, it was inspiring to see volunteers across the Valley dedicate themselves to improving spaces where families, children, and neighbors can thrive.

United Way NSV CEO Andy Gail captured the day’s energy perfectly: “We’re pretty excited. We have over 1,000 volunteers participating in 75 different projects across our region, including the city of Winchester and Frederick, Clarke, Warren, Shenandoah, and Page counties. That’s more than last year.”

Marlow Auto Group’s Commitment: The Community Baby Shower

At Marlow Auto Group, our focus this year was on families, with a special emphasis on the youngest members of our community. Through the Community Baby Shower, held at Marlow Motor Company and participating First Bank branches across the Shenandoah Valley, we created 57 “New Baby Care Packages” filled with essentials like diapers, wipes, receiving blankets, board books, and baby care items. Each package also included educational resources and information about community programs that provide long-term support. These packages will support Healthy Families Northern Shenandoah Valley (HFNSV) and Healthy Families Shenandoah, Page & Warren. Both programs share a powerful mission: to provide education and support for families, promoting healthy births and ensuring children can reach school age emotionally and physically ready to thrive. Since 1998, HFNSV has supported parents across Frederick County, Clarke County, Warren County, and the City of Winchester. By joining forces with United Way NSV, we know that these baby packages will directly support parents and children right here in our community.

Why This Matters to Us

Our involvement in Day of Caring 2025 reflects two of our most important core values: Community and Relationships.

• Community: Events like the Community Baby Shower remind us that when people and businesses come together, significant change can happen. Every donated diaper, every blanket, and every volunteer hour directly strengthens families in our region.
• Relationships: Beyond the supplies, this event is about building trust and showing families that they are not alone. By connecting with United Way NSV and Healthy Families programs, we’re reinforcing the bonds that hold our communities together.

At Marlow Auto Group, success is measured not just in cars sold but in the positive impact we create for our neighbors.

Hands-On Involvement from Our Team

This year, six Marlow Auto Group volunteers dedicated their Friday to assembling and organizing the 57 baby care packages. Working side by side, they filled boxes with love and intention, knowing each one would land in the hands of a family in need. It wasn’t just about the supplies. It was about showing up, rolling up our sleeves, and actively participating in a mission larger than ourselves. For our team, it was an honor to be part of the same movement that mobilized more than 1,000 volunteers across the region that day.

The Bigger Picture: Why United Way Day of Caring Matters

Day of Caring demonstrates the incredible ripple effect of collective action. When volunteers pitch in, nonprofits save thousands of dollars in labor and resources. That means they can redirect funds toward their most important mission—helping people. This is why events like these go far beyond painting walls or packing boxes. They’re about ensuring nonprofits can focus on serving children, supporting families, and empowering neighbors in need. For Marlow Auto Group, contributing to this larger picture is part of our responsibility as a locally owned, family business. We’re not just located in these communities—we’re deeply rooted in them.

Looking Ahead

United Way Day of Caring was a huge success, but the work doesn’t stop here. Families continue to need diapers, wipes, books, and blankets. Nonprofits still require robust community partnerships to sustain their operations. And volunteers will always be needed to step forward and lend a hand. At Marlow Auto Group, we are committed to continuing this tradition of service. Whether through United Way’s initiatives, school partnerships, or other community programs, we will continue to show up, strengthen relationships, and support the causes that matter most.