14th annual Day of Caring betters lives in Rapid City - KOTA Territory News

14th annual Day of Caring betters lives in Rapid City

Around 1500 people volunteered their time and talents in the community Thursday afternoon as part of the United Way's Day of Caring.

A Day of Caring is more than just doing someone's house hold chores, such as painting a house, it's a group effort to make a difference in someone's life.

"You name it we're doing all kinds of projects today," said United Way of the Black Hills Executive Director Renee Parker.

When that many people get together and do all the work in one day, the results are amazing. "No one person can do it all you just can't and what happens when you bring this many people together is a synergy that you just cannot match," said Parker.

Rapid City Police Chief Steve Allender said it's also rewarding for the volunteers. "This is awesome for us because we get to do a little something for somebody who truly appreciates it you know and in police work a lot of the services we provide don't always come with a thank you."

"It's a great feeling to help out the community and help out somebody in need so it's very rewarding in that way," said Rapid City Police Sergeant John Olson.

Olson has known the owner of a 'project house' on St. Francis Street for a few years now. "We're happy to sign up and help grace out she's such a sweetheart anyway that it's fun to come out and do her yard," said Olson.

He also said he knows their work really helps her out. "Grace gets along really well, but this is some pretty hard work and I think it would be difficult for her to be able to do it," said Olson.

Everywhere throughout Rapid City volunteers mowed lawns, painted, and made a difference in someone's life.

Thursday was also the kick off for the United Way's fundraising campaign in Rapid City. The goal is to raise $1.9 million for 33 different organizations in Rapid City, and almost $2.3 million for the overall regional goal including Sturgis, and the Northern & Southern Hills.