Working For Worcester To Hold 11th 'Build Day' In April

WORCESTER, MA — The 11th Working For Worcester "Build Day" will happen at the end of April, but volunteers who want to help this year can start signing up to help today.

The community service effort began 11 years ago at Holy Cross, where then-juniors Jeff Reppucci and Derek Kump enlisted local college students to help improve the city. Since then, Working for Worcester has raised more than $1 million and completed some 150 projects with help from more than 10,000 volunteers.

The 2023 event will focus on 20 sites across Worcester, including the Worcester Islamic Center, the section of George Street where the Major Taylor Association's annual race takes place and Abby's House — whose Crown Street shelter will soon get its first significant renovation and expansion since 1976. There are also projects spanning 13 Worcester Public Schools buildings.

Projects in 2022 included a new playground at City View School, and a "gaga pit" — an elementary school sport played in a wooden octagon — at the Lincoln Street School. Volunteers also work on smaller projects, like landscaping and painting.

The 2023 Build Day will happen on April 22. Find information about volunteering on the Working For Worcester website.