Over 100 employees from BYU and about 400 from other businesses spent four hours of their day improving local organizations Thursday, Sept. 12, as part of United Way's Day of Caring.

"I think the opportunity it gives us to serve the community and help people less fortunate than we are is the best part," said Phyllis Jensen, Administrative Coordinator for Community Relations.

According to Amanda Stott, United Way Campaign Manager and recent BYU graduate in Community Health, the Day of Caring has been going on for eight years and this year there were nine different locations, including LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Employees began their day at 7:30 a.m., said Ines Conover, area representative for United Way. Volunteers met at the LaVell Edwards Stadium for breakfast, where they were given assignments.

"The projects are already decided and everyone gets an assignment and an address. It's very orderly," Conover said.

"We find the issues in our community. We sit in on boards and help find solutions for the issues in our community," Stott said.

The volunteers also benefit from the experience, Conover said.

"We get to meet each other. You get to connect with the whole city

It's not just BYU," she said. "The bottom line is that we can make it easier for someone else who is having a hard time."

"We had all BYU employees at the Boys and Girls club. We had 20 people painting the gym and getting to know each other. They painted and stenciled the world flags in our gymnasium. Roy Peterman, director of grounds at BYU, designed the landscaping plan and helped plant trees. They fixed books in the library and cleaned," Stott said.

"We are doing everything that needs to be done so we're ready for the kids this afternoon," Stott said.

The Boys and Girls Club is funded by United Way along with organizations like "kids on the move", the Red Cross, a shelter for Battered women and children, and the Utah Food Bank.

It's just one of the non-profit organizations that United Way funds, Jensen said. Elementary age children go there after school and can do homework on the computers and planned activities.

"It's well planned so the youth aren't running all over," Conover said

There is always a great turnout of volunteers for the Day of Caring, said Amanda Stott.

"It's important to us. We put up chairs after meetings. It's just part of our culture and part of our upbringing," said Jerry Bishop, division representative For the Student Auxiliary Services at BYU.

"It's been very fulfilling. The places we serve are not staffed to be able to do the things we do," he said.