HANCOCK COUNTY, Ohio — Nonprofits in Hancock County are expected to save more than $100,000 through volunteer work this week.
Camp Berry in Hancock County will soon be hosting hundreds of campers in a few weeks. But before then, a lot of cleanup and prep work needs to be done.
That's why Camp Berry is a typical location for volunteers to spend their week during the United Way's Days of Caring.
"I had a group paint 3/4 of the outside of the dining hall yesterday. We've got people that are going to clean up brush off trails, clean brush off of the rifle range, do more painting," Camp Berry Ranger Lance Kraft said.
The week-long volunteer initiative allows people from local businesses to take the day in four-hour shifts to help wherever needed.
This spring, 870 volunteers will put in about 3,500 hours.
The group at Camp Berry Tuesday morning was from Marathon Petroleum, which encourages employees to give back to their community.
"Oh, we wouldn't be able to, it wouldn't get done," Kraft said. "I'm the only one here."
"Places like the Boy Scouts of America and those kind of organizations, they give opportunity to a lot of young kids," Tim Franks with Marathon Petroleum said. "It's good to volunteer our time to give back to them."
Along with helping out a non-profit in need and getting out of the office for a bit, these volunteers said they are happy knowing their manual labor will help local kids enjoy their summer.
"Getting out myself and giving back to others is really what it's all about," Franks said. "I feel like I am fulfilled myself. Not only is it for the people we volunteer for, it's also for us personally."