Classrooms were given splashes of color, cafeterias were given life, and school gardens were spruced up as thousands of caring New Yorkers renovated 117 city public schools during the 18th Annual New York Cares Day (NYCD) on Saturday, October 17.
“The New Yorkers volunteering today are making our schools more welcoming and inspiring places for our children to learn,” said Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein.
Volunteers began working as early as 9:30 a.m., completing multiple projects by mid-afternoon. Over 8,000 volunteers participated in the event, which is the city’s largest day of hands-on volunteering. Participants also raised money in honor of the time they spent volunteering, with all proceeds supporting NYCD and its year-round volunteer programs.
“We’re proud that for 18 years, our volunteers have been helping the city provide vibrant and inspiring learning environments for students in every borough,” Gary Bagley, executive director of New York Cares, said in a news release. “Rain and cold weather could not dampen the generous spirit of 8,000 New Yorkers who volunteered today, and thousands more ‘virtual volunteers’ who supported their work through financial donations.”
This year, 16 schools in Queens, 25 schools in Manhattan, 55 in Brooklyn, 17 in the Bronx, and 4 on Staten Island were revitalized by NYCD volunteers – who participated on 500 corporate and civic teams, 35 youth teams, and 50 volunteer teams from the NYC Civic Corps.
Of the 16 schools in Queens, P.S. 84Q in Astoria was among the lucky few to receive a makeover. Murals were painted to illuminate the inside of the school, classroom libraries were organized, and storage areas were cleaned out by 115 volunteers. Murals painted in four stairwells each have a different season as its theme. The outside of the school was also beautified, with volunteers planting 500 bulbs and painting an iron fence.
In addition to donated materials, the total volunteer hours dedicated to schools on New York Cares Day is equivalent to about one million dollars. NYCD volunteers also raised over $225,000 to support New York Cares’ volunteer programs.
“I want to thank New York Cares and all the volunteers who are making a hands-on contribution to our schools today. Their efforts are making a real difference in the lives of our public school students,” Klein said.
