United Way volunteers Steve Kelly, John Rutter, and Curtis Crawford, from left, paint a Y-CAP transitional home Thursday during United Way's Day of Caring. Volunteers across the city worked on a variety of United Way projects for the organization's annual community service day.Two men in red Ace Hardware T-shirts stood on ladders on opposite sides of a building, one drilling holes to anchor a board and the other nailing hangers. They were putting a new roof on the Y-CAP wood shop building on Thursday because they want to help young people.
"We have no agenda," said Ace merchandiser Todd Lenderman. "We just want to do good for the community."
Lenderman and Michael Bratcher, Ace's director of merchandise, were among some 500 volunteers from 29 local employers working to make a positive difference on United Way's annual Day of Caring.
The event marked the 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on America, when terrorists flew hijacked jetliners into the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon, and where the passengers of another plane martyred themselves in a field in Shanksville, Pa., to stop a third planned attack.
But the goodwill of volunteers gives the day alternative meaning, United Way officials said.
"It's a day to give back, not just give money but to actually do, to be on site where services are delivered," said Tom Glenn, president of Ace Hardware and United Way's board chairman.
Volunteers in Chattanooga completed 45 projects for nonprofit organizations on Thursday.
Their work saves money and adds value to the sites, said Mike Slocumb, United Way's vice president of resource development.
Publix volunteers cleaned the Teacher Supply Depot at the former Mary Ann Garber Elementary School and sorted donations for Stuff the Bus. Warren & Griffin law firm employees created a nature exploration playground for students at Little Miss Mag Early Learning Center, and Chattanooga workers put fresh paint on the doors and rails at Dalewood Middle School.
"Anything that brings beauty makes a difference in how people feel about themselves and their school," said City Councilman Russell Gilbert, who visited the school Thursday.
Putting a roof at the Y-CAP wood shop building makes previously unused space available, said Y-CAP program coordinator Tom Hobbs. The newly roofed portion becomes a storage area, freeing space in the main work area.
The wood shop is the educational and character-building site of middle-school-aged boys in Y-CAP. Hobbs works with dozens of at-risk youths a year using wood craft projects like birdhouses and cutting boards to improve self-confidence and practice math skills.
The smell of fresh paint drifts through the air at the corner of 16th and Fagan streets. Ace cashier Martha Waddell was among several women painting a Y-CAP transitional house to help men in need get back on their feet.
The group painted the outside of the house and stained the porch floor.
"We try to be as helpful as we can," said Waddell. "Just trying to give back to the community."
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 757-6431.