United Way's Day of Caring Done in Remembrance of 9/11

Friday marks the eighth anniversary of 9/11, and the government hopes the public will remember the tragedy through a National Day of Service.

United Way got a jump on the "Day of Caring" sending volunteers out to create lasting change in Chattanooga.  When John Rutter of Ace Hardware asked his employees if they wanted to volunteer to build the Salvation Army a garden, he didn't have to ask twice.  "They got that helpfulness in mind and when there's an opportunity to get involved they jump right on it."

Rutter and his crew went to work installing the new garden, placing 3 planters to house blueberries and other fruits, herbs, and various vegetables.  Major Jim Lawrence of the Salvation Army says "maybe in a couple of months they'll go into our kitchen and be served to some of the folks in our community, the homeless and others that eat at our kitchen."

They'll also be used as a teaching tool for the Army's new culinary school, which just received approval and funding.  Major Lawrence says "its interesting that approval of the culinary school and the garden are going on at the same time, and hopefully within the next couple of months we'll have our first students in that school."

420 volunteers from local employers provided free labor to area non-profits in need., up from 280 last year.  So many volunteers showed up to help, the Salvation Army created some new projects on the spot, like painting the Christmas kettles.

Many businesses see this as an economical means of giving back, during the recession.  Wayne Collins of United Way says "the federal government put an hour of volunteer service at about 20 an hour, so it is a quantifiable resource that is put back into the community."

In all, volunteers tackled 51-projects, like an overhaul of the National Park Service picnic area off Ochs Highway.  Collins says "those that seem that they could be done in a reasonable amount of time, with a reasonable amount of volunteer labor and can be performed safely are the ones considered and chosen."

All together, volunteers donated 1,900 hours toward projects that will last for years to come.