By Mark Pompilio, PRSA-ECD Chair

The PRSA Dayton Chapter volunteered at HTC-Dayton as a community service project for the PRSA East Central District’s “Week of Caring.”

“We’ll come out here and talk a little about diapers,” said Volunteer Manager Heather Taynor as she guided a group of public relations professionals around the rooms of books, racks of children’s clothing, stacks of toys… and piles of puffy white diapers being re-packaged by volunteers.

Ten members of the PRSA Dayton Chapter spent Feb. 25 volunteering at HTC-Dayton, formally “Hannah’s Treasure Chest,” as a community service project for the PRSA East Central District’s second annual “Week of Caring.”
“Our mission is to enrich the lives of children in need, mainly through our Care Package Program,” said Heather. Social workers identify families in need, and HTC responds by gathering donations and assembling about 7,000 care packages a year.
Clothing, toys, cribs, and school supplies are all important, but diapers are big. With help from the National Diaper Bank Network, they give away nearly 7,000 diapers every week. “If a mom doesn’t have enough diapers, she can’t leave her child at daycare, and that means she can’t go to work,” said Heather. “Diapers are essential.”
ECD introduced the “Week of Caring initiative in September 2025 with the mission of serving the local communities of ECD Chapters. ECD moved it to Feb. 22-28 this year to help those in need during the “Month of Love” and in the heart of winter.
PRSA Dayton was among eight ECD Chapters across the six-state District that volunteered with local nonprofits and charities. It became an opportunity for Chapter members not only to volunteer at the charity but also to use their networking and messaging skills to help shed light on worthy and essential organizations serving the underprivileged.
“The second annual week of caring was another success,” said ECD Immediate Past Chair and WOC Co-chair Mark Weinstein. “Together, the Chapters’ efforts underscore how communicators can amplify impact—not only through words, but through action.”

Members of PRSA Central Ohio volunteered at Star House.

Across Ohio, members of PRSA Central Ohio volunteered at Star House, supporting youth experiencing homelessness through hands-on service. PRSA Cincinnati rallied donations of pantry staples, hygiene products and financial gifts for Freestore Foodbank, helping families facing food insecurity.  The Northwest Ohio Chapter hosted a storytelling workshop at Sunshine Communities, helping individuals with developmental disabilities share their personal experiences.

PRSA Detroit members helped out at the Gleaners Distribution Center, sorting and packing food.

In Michigan, PRSA Detroit members returned to Gleaners Distribution Center in Taylor for a second consecutive year to sort and pack food for distribution throughout southeastern Michigan, while the PRSA Northwest Pennsylvania Chapter offered fellowship and support to veterans through its sponsored Bingo Night for residents of the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home in Erie.

The PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter collected supplies and gift cards for Paws 4 the Cause, benefiting animals awaiting adoption.

In Kentucky, the Thoroughbred Chapter collected supplies and gift cards for Paws 4 the Cause, benefiting animals awaiting adoption, while members from PRSA West Virginia raised $725 to assist six organizations serving vulnerable populations.

After the tour of HTC-Dayton, PRSA Dayton volunteers settled into the work of separating and repacking all sizes of children’s underwear.  “I can’t wait for someone to ask me, ‘How did you spend your morning?’ and tell them I was folding underwear!” said volunteer Katy Carrico.
“They do an absolutely phenomenal job,” PRSA Dayton President Niki Mayakova said about HTC-Dayton. “The age range of the children is extraordinary, kids three months to 18 years old. They never give themselves enough credit for what they do, and the bulk of their workers are volunteers. This is our community, this is our backyard, and this is a way of giving back. It’s our professional duty to give back.”
“Engaging PR professionals in meaningful service extends the impact of our work far beyond the workplace,” said Mark Weinstein. “Through the Week of Caring, we are giving back to our communities while demonstrating the profession’s commitment to integrity, advocacy and service.”
“The Week of Caring is a powerful example of collaboration within public relations,” said ECD board member and WOC Co-chair Alisa Agozzino.  “By working together across our district, we are strengthening communities and reinforcing the profession’s role as a force for good.”