Day of Caring kicks off Wednesday morning - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

The United Way's "day of Caring kicked off Wednesday morning at WesBanco Arena.

Hundreds of local volunteers gathered and are now off to tackle a variety of community projects. Volunteers from various local businesses are spread out across the Ohio Valley

They will paint, clean, pick up litter, and work on some light construction projects for nonprofit's around the valley.

Volunteers say the United Way "Day of Caring" not only helps increase company morale, but it also creates a visible difference in their community.

Click here to view the WTRF.com slideshow of this morning's event.

This is the 21st year that the United Way has held the "day of caring, and executive director George Smoulder says the United Way is thrilled with this year's turnout of over four hundred volunteers.

"We feel very very blessed that we have over 35 companies who are sending us over 425 volunteers this day to reach out and help our 25 different agencies, and most importantly it helps the volunteers learn more about the agencies and learn the tremendous work that these agencies are doing touching the lives of women men and children, everyday right here in our upper Ohio Valley," he said.

7News' reporter D.K. Wright was the emcee of the kick off breakfast. WTRF.com and 7News will have more coverage from several of the community projects in the coming newscasts.