October 1st was more than just a day of service in Boone County; it was a testament to the strength, unity, and generosity of our community. Hosted by Boone County Economic Development Corporation (Boone EDC), the 5th Annual Best Day in Boone brought together over 270 volunteers from 22 local companies, donating their time and efforts to complete more than 20 community service projects throughout the county. With an estimated $65,000 in volunteer hours contributed, this year’s event truly highlighted the power of coming together for a common cause.
Each year, Best Day in Boone creates an opportunity for businesses, nonprofits, and community members to step out of their everyday routines and focus on giving back. Volunteers joined forces to work on projects like cleaning up public spaces, supporting local nonprofits, and enhancing the quality of life for residents across the county. From early morning start times to team efforts, each volunteer made a meaningful impact on the day.
Molly Whitehead, CEO of Boone EDC, expressed the importance of this event to both Boone EDC and the community: “Best Day in Boone is about strengthening our community’s bonds through service. It’s inspiring to see so many volunteers and sponsors unite to support Boone County, showing the true heart of our community.”
In addition to the day of service, Boone EDC supported three community-nominated nonprofits through the “Cast Your Vote for Boone’s Best” initiative. With nearly 1,500 votes cast, the community chose Indy Book Project, Indiana Diaper Bank, and Shalom House to receive a total of $1,750 in grant funding.
Local businesses played a critical role in the event’s success, with Festool as the T-shirt sponsor, Safavieh and F.A. Wilhelm Construction sponsoring lunch, Coca Cola Consolidated sponsoring beverages, and Norwex assisting with cleaning supplies. These and other generous contributions ensured that volunteers had everything needed to make the day a success.
Boone EDC is also grateful for the support of the following sponsors who helped make this day of service possible:
•Aspire Indiana Health
•ATEC, Inc
•BK Home Improvement
•Community Foundation of Boone County
•Crossroads Imprint
•First Farmers Bank
•GXO
•Home National Bank
•Ken’s Foods
•Lisa Galvin
•RLTurner
•Traditions Realty
Michael Burch, Executive Vice President of Festool USA, emphasized the company’s commitment to the community, saying, “Best Day in Boone allows us to give back to a community that has supported us for years. It’s a chance to live our values, build team spirit, and make a positive difference.”
Arc of Greater Boone County also benefited from volunteer efforts, with Executive Director Pam Verbarg sharing, “Having volunteers assist with our projects allows us to focus resources where they’re most needed. Their help is invaluable in maintaining and beautifying our facilities.”
As photos and stories from the day continue to circulate, Boone EDC invites everyone to share their experiences online, tagging Boone EDC and using #bestdayinboone to celebrate the day’s achievements. Plans are already in motion for the 2025 Best Day in Boone, where Boone EDC looks forward to building on this tradition of service, togetherness, and lasting impact.
For a complete list of projects, sponsors, and additional event details, please visit our Giving page.
Thank you to everyone who made the 5th Annual Best Day in Boone a success!