Hundreds Taking Part In ‘Days Of Caring’

One Friday, more than 800 volunteers from local businesses took a few hours of their day to help kick-off United Way of Deschutes County’s “Days of Caring.”

It was day one of the two-day event, and weather conditions were great for volunteers who lent a helping hand in 50 projects throughout Deschutes County.

Shifts were split into two time slots, the morning shift at 8 am and the afternoon shift at 1 pm.

About 80 percent of the work being done is landscape and outdoor painting, but there were projects that suited those of all ages.

“It’s a wonderful way to engage the community, and it’s all over Deschutes County,” said Sara Rishforth, associate special projects director for United Way of Deschutes County.

“We have projects in La Pine, projects in Sisters, in Redmond and a bunch of them in Bend,” said Rishforth. “It gets people out of their desk and doing something good for the community.”

“Days of Caring” continues Saturday, and it’s not too late to participate. Volunteers are invited to the Faith Christian Center in Bend on Third Street at 8 am.

United Way will set volunteers up with breakfast, a “Days of Caring” T-shirt, and a project.

United Way is a 21 Cares For Kids partner, and the NewsChannel 21 team will be participating in “Days of Caring” at the Humane Society of Central Oregon.