WORCESTER, Mass. - More than 800 volunteers spread out across central Massachusetts Friday giving back to the community for the United Way's 29th annual Day of Caring.

Local businesses, colleges and community groups sent volunteers to 65 locations across the region to landscape, garden and paint.

More than 100 volunteers were at the Worcester Housing Authority Friday morning to paint basketball courts, playgrounds, railings and cement walls. The United Way said these projects help local agencies better serve their clients.

"This is just an incredible way for this many people from across our community to be together on this one day, wearing these shirts," said Emily McCann, VP of community engagement for the United Way of Central Massachusetts. "But also doing all this important work for our agencies and really making a huge impact in this one day for our community and getting a sense for what the needs are in our community."

"Our residents love it," said Erin Wilson, assistant VP of resident services for the Worcester Housing Authority. "It's a wonderful opportunity to show the residents how much WHA and our community care about the people who live here. We love to have a nice property for our residents to live in."

Volunteers also carried out projects at the Boys and Girls Club, Ecotarium and the Worcester Public Library.