WORCESTER, Mass. — Saturday was Build Day in Worcester, and for the 10th time, volunteers from the community joined together to build 20 projects across the city.

Jeff Reppucci and Derek Kump came up with the idea when they were roommates at the College of the Holy Cross. The nonprofit is dedicated to mobilizing local college students to improve recreation, infrastructure and opportunities in neighborhoods across the city. Locations Saturday included City View Elementary School where they cleaned up the playground, and added a few fresh coats of paint. 

They also stopped by El Buen Samaritano on Piedmont Street where the volunteers created an online center and library in hopes of encouraging kids to learn more about science, technology, engineering and math. The nonprofit's slogan is "For the kids."

"It's the coolest thing that people are willing to come out in the rain and super early," said Working for Worcester's Co-Executive Director Jules Cashman. "It's awesome. It makes me so proud of Worcester and I think it's really cool that Worcester's getting the love that it really deserves."

"It is awesome," said Working for Worcester's Co-Executive Director Sabrina Ramos. "I think we have had a hard time the past two years with the pandemic and really being able to gather excited people together, to really just come together, form relationships, and have a really meaningful day in the city. I'm like speechless."

More than a thousand college students and community members joined the annual effort this year.