Hundreds of volunteers will mobilize for this weekend's Day of Caring.
Like a swarm of do-gooder elves, as many as 600 volunteers will fan out Sunday across Lawrence and Douglas County as part of the Day of Caring, sponsored by the United Way of Douglas County.
Small groups will wash cars, paint walls, rake leaves and do other odd jobs for 29 different nonprofit agencies.
More than 100 people will attack the overgrown brush, neglected trails and discarded rubbish at Douglas County's Wells Overlook.
The event is anticipated with relief by marginally funded nonprofits like North Lawrence's Ballard Community Center, 708 Elm.
Dianne Ensminger, Ballard Center executive director, said the center has received a grant for new playground equipment.
But that grant money won't pay for the removal of existing equipment, which was sunk in cement.
"If it weren't for Day of Caring, I don't know how we'd get it done," Ensminger said.
The Ballard Community Center has volunteers to fulfill daily needs like stocking the food pantry. But Day of Caring provides a motivated group to handle more intensive projects.
"It is something we look forward to and plan for," Ensminger said.
The volunteers also benefit, though in a more esoteric way, said Cindy Wendt, who works in the accounting department at Hallmark Cards Inc. in Lawrence.
"Personally it has given me a lot of satisfaction," said Wendt, who helped organize about 120 volunteers through Hallmark.
Wendt said Hallmark's volunteer crew has grown each of the last three years.
"A lot of families have gotten together and try and teach their kids what volunteerism is about," Wendt said. "It's a good feeling."
Wells Overlook, a county park east of U.S. Highway 59 on Douglas County Road 458, is the largest project on this year's list.
It was added after reports that its deteriorated condition had made it a haven not for family outings but for people interested in less wholesome activities.
Among the group tackling the park will be about 80 students from Free State High School.
"That was about the best place to put them, and they were excited about it," said Andre Bollaert, manager of the Roger Hill Volunteer Center and coordinator of Day of Caring.
Bollaert said the park will be a good destination for people who show up the day of the event without making arrangements beforehand.
Volunteers should meet at Lawrence High School at 1 p.m. Sunday for an orientation meeting. The work is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
-- Kendrick Blackwood's phone message number is 832-7221. His e-mail address is kblackwood@ljworld.com.
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