United Way Day of Caring in Bismarck | Video

Jessica Roose | 8/15/2012

Areas around Bismarck and Mandan probably look a little cleaner today. That`s because nearly 500 people took part in United Way`s Day of Caring and helped with various projects around the community.

Some helped outside the offices of United Way, others spent time in downtown Bismarck and over a hundred volunteers spent their day at the zoo, cutting down trees and cleaning up the Elk exhibit.

"Last year with our flooding and all the other work that we had due to the high water and ground water. This is a big boost for us to get all this wood picked up, organized, get it distributed out, get it out of the zoo," said Assistant Zoo Director Rod Fried.

Fried says it would have taken zoo employees weeks to do what was accomplished in just one day with the extra help. And those who came say they were glad they could help out.

"It shows the tightness of this community and the ability that people have to come together and you know really make things nice," said volunteer Tommy Hart.

Hart took some time off work and came out with his co-workers from Wells Fargo. Several companies allowed employees to have time off. Even several KFYR employees, including sports reporter Scott Westerberg, came to do their part.

"Day of Caring is an opportunity for everyone to pitch in and keep costs low for our agencies and to make sure the dollars are really being directed here they need to go," said MSA United Way Executive Director Jena Gullo.

While volunteers were hard at work, the elk watched from the other side of the exhibit.

The United Way also announced today that it hopes to raise two million dollars for the community in the next year.

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