Today, Nationwide Insurance gave 100 of their local employees the day off, but they didn't spend the day relaxing.
Employees from the Southeast regional branch of Nationwide, spent the entire day volunteering on projects at 3 schools around Gainesville. Volunteers said it took a lot of team work to pull off some daunting tasks.
Volunteer Palenthia Boswell said, "It was very challenging...but we knew it had to be done."
The task she was referring to was Prairie View's library, which hadn't been organized in 3 years. That wasn't the only project.
100 volunteers went out to 3 schools: Metcalf, Rawlings and Praire View in Gainesville to do landscaping, pressure washing, organizing or whatever else was needed.
It's all part of a United Way initiative called the "Day of Action." Where The United Way of North Central Florida partners with local businesses to make an impact in the community.
In addition to the hard work, volunteers had a chance to connect with the kids they helped by reading to the children and giving away puppets and books.
Boswell said, "The kids walked away like so thankful and the volunteers walked away so fulfilled, like this is my calling and I'm glad I came today."
United Way Community Impact Manager, Rebecca Thompson, said that just this one day of action will make a profound difference. She said, "What will happen is that these volunteers will actually create a ripple affect because it will get other people involved you know."
Although the day off might not have been restful, volunteers say it was well worth it. Dan Shillings, Nationwide Team Leader, said, "We all work and live here and this is our community, so we just want to give back as much as we can make it the best community possible."
Today was Nationwide's "Day of Action," but The United Way wants everyone to know that you can get involved any day of the year...for more information, go to www.unitedwayncfl.org