Community Care Day Draws 600 Volunteers : United Way: Nonprofit agencies welcome the 1,700 hours of donated time spent on painting, landscaping, cleanup and other work.

Nearly 600 volunteers painted walls, washed windows, planted gardens and performed other tasks at more than 25 social services agencies Saturday as part of the first United Way Community Care Day in northern Los Angeles County.

The volunteers from companies and businesses in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, Burbank and Glendale donated more than 1,700 hours of time to the nonprofit agencies, most of which have dwindling finances.

“With the hard times, these agencies are really strapped for cash,” said Michael Turner of Chatsworth, a member of the United Way committee that worked nine months to plan the event.

“A lot of times, executives who handle the purse strings are the only ones involved. This gives all employees a chance to give something.”

Before they fanned out to different agencies, volunteer workers gathered for breakfast and a rally in the parking lot of the Los Angeles Times Valley Edition plant in Chatsworth. A band played and cartoon characters from Magic Mountain provided entertainment.

“A lot of people think the only way to help is by giving money,” Richard Alarcon, Mayor Tom Bradley’s San Fernando Valley liaison, told the gathering. “But in a bad economy, more giving of time is needed.”

Jeff Klein, president of The Times’ Valley Edition, called the event “a shared commitment for a strong San Fernando Valley.” Klein and others vowed to make Community Care Day an annual event. The Times was a sponsor of the day.

“I think this is a neat idea,” said Rae Berry of Glendale, a 15-year United Way volunteer. “It generated a lot of enthusiasm. Next year will be even better.”

Directors of agencies such as the Maud Booth Child Care Center and Los Angeles Housing Corp. homeless shelter, both in North Hollywood, said they welcomed the help.

“Having a day like this is just wonderful,” said Marilyn Hosea, child-care center director. “The children have been looking forward to having new paint on the doors.”

Throughout the center, which serves 200 children from low-income families, volunteers from Sunkist Growers painted classroom and office doors in bright red, green, blue and yellow.

“I’ve never done anything like this,” Angie Smith of Van Nuys said as she examined the green paint she had brushed on a door. “I intended to volunteer for something when I retired, but I didn’t want to wait until then.”

“It was time to get involved,” agreed her companion, Carolyn Dalmas of Canoga Park.

Volunteers from Magic Mountain included landscaping professionals and gardeners who decorated the facility with a variety of plants.

“All this green,” Hosea said. “The children will love this.”

At the homeless shelter, employees of Blue Cross of California washed screens and windows, swept and dusted inside the shelter’s school, swept the parking lot and sorted surplus food donated by a supermarket chain.

“It’s nice to be a part of the community,” Janine Venable of Van Nuys said as she tossed aside some spoiled food. “This is a good way to see where our donations go.”

“We just wanted to help,” Janice Givens of Los Angeles said as she and Marie LeBrie of Culver City washed windows.

Michael Childress, shelter director, said the agency seldom can afford to pay hired help to thoroughly clean the shelter.