Free State high school juniors Lea Greenberg and Justin Saathoff touch up paint on the kitchen cabinets at the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen, 221 W. 10th St. Free State students and teachers worked on volunteer projects across Lawrence on Thursday, including at schools and community centers. The maintenance and beautification efforts were part of the annual Great Green Help. In back, from left, are juniors Drue Davis and Arial Whitely and special services teacher Llara Baska.

Rain couldn’t stop Free State High School juniors from giving back to Lawrence during their annual Great Green Help. About 270 students from the Class of 2010 were spread out over 20 locations around town to do community service.

Some got swamped with work and water.

“Once you get past the original wet cold, it’s sort of fun,” said junior Lydia Picking, who was working outside at West Junior High. “Basically we’re just doing landscaping.”

Others felt fortunate to have a roof over their heads.

“I almost didn’t come because of the rain and storm,” said junior Will Martin. He spent the morning cleaning brass and marble at the Watkins Community Museum of History. “I was lucky to be inside.”

Students were everywhere from Clinton Lake State Park to other schools in the district. They helped at the Humane Society and at the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen.

“Maybe there’s a lot of kids in the junior class who wouldn’t have a volunteering opportunity otherwise,” said junior class co-president Alek Joyce. “Maybe it’ll … be a catalyst that will actually help them start.”

The students out in the field put their green thumbs to work with friends, and the rain didn’t dampen their spirits.

“As a bonus, we got out of school,” Picking said. “It’s a fun way to get involved in the community, and you get to hang out with your friends while you do it.”

Martin is hoping for that warm fuzzy feeling after the work is done.

“Good feelings at the end of the day,” he said. “Maybe some ice cream.”

Each year, the junior class at Free State organizes and participates in the Great Green Help. This year, student council members expanded the program to another four sites.