Area employees take a day to show they care
<p>Klly Wuest, an employee for Mountain West Bank, rakes an area of the yard at the St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho men's shelter in Coeur d'Alene Thursday during the United Way's 56th annual Day of Caring event.</p>
<p>Tony Cline, with Avista Utilities, disassembles a portion of an old stairs and ramp to make improvements on the approach at the men's shelter as part of the Day of Caring volunteer event.</p>
The spirit of service filled the air Thursday all over Kootenai County.
Hundreds of employees spent the day away from their offices and out in the community doing service projects as part of United Way of Kootenai County's sixth annual Day of Caring.
The volunteers participated in 40 projects in support of local nonprofits.
Caryl Johnston, director of United Way of Kootenai County, said the estimated 300 volunteers came to them from organizations like US Bank and its call center, Mountain West Bank, Advanced Input Systems, the city of Coeur d'Alene and North Idaho College's Workforce Training Center.
"We're really proud to be able to give the employees a chance to go out and volunteer in the community," said Scott Tostengard, vice president of US Bank's local community service operation. "United Way is an organization that the bank as a corporation supports and endorses throughout the country. The bank offers paid volunteer time for the employees. It's fun for us to get behind."
Several truck loads of wood was split and delivered to seniors. At Trinity Group Homes, a housing facility for people with mental illnesses, gardening and landscaping was done. A porch and steps were rebuilt at St. Vincent de Paul's Men's Shelter.
Johnston said many of the participating companies' employees have been collecting food for the local food banks, where the shelves "were bare."
The participating groups donated 7,523 pounds of food Thursday, and some of the volunteers sorted and shelved the items.
Last year, the Day of Caring's volunteer service provided nonprofit agencies with labor valued at $36,000.
Another big day of service is happening Saturday and citizens are invited to lend a hand.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites residents, community organizations and other faith groups to assist with several service projects in Rathdrum.
Those interested should be at Majestic Park off Meyer Road between Boekel and Lancaster near the water tower at 8 a.m.
Volunteers can bring paint brushes, rollers, weed trimmers, shovels, rakes and gloves. There will be free T-shirts for the first 300 people.
There will also be a barbecue and activities at the park afterward at noon for all volunteers. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for the picnic.
For more information about the Rathdrum event, call Jeff Crandall at 661-1569.