Volunteers fanned out Thursday to give a helping hand to non-profit organizations for Day of Caring in Schuylkill County.
Joe Mehalko has been a banker for 40 years. He usually wears a suit and tie. He traded his dress clothes Thursday for a t-shirt and jeans and went to work in downtown Pottsville. He is doing his part for the Day of Caring. Mehalko said he enjoys donating his time.
"It's great, it's great. It's great being outdoors, and it's something different it really is," Mehalko said.
The Day of Caring has volunteers from all over helping out non-profit organizations that are funded by the United Way.
Bill Folk of United Way said his organization sponsors the program.
"This year we have 14 projects and over a 125 volunteers for the projects that we coordinate," Folk said.
Wayne Stump of the Schuylkill Y.M.C.A. explained the volunteers are great.
"Anytime that we can get volunteers to help us defray the costs of maintaining the facility, it's always appreciated," Stump said.
Most of the volunteers would usually be working at their jobs, but their companies give them time off to help the non-profits. That includes Anthony Harbison who spent his day painting.
" I'd rather be here. A day out of the office is a good day," Harbison said.
Jane Graup of the Schuylkill Wellness Center said with a staff of four and loads of work, it's difficult to find the time to paint.
"This is the second time they've painted for us. They haven't gotten to my office yet. They come in here and just paint. You know nobody likes to paint, except these guys," Graup said.
The volunteers will be out in the Pottsville area for the next several days and volunteers are welcome.