Volunteers Participate In New York Cares Day

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- It took a little arm twisting, but volunteer Yoshana Hicks said that she rallied her co-workers into painting a mural on the side of PS 171 as part of New York Cares Day.

LISTEN: WCBS 880's Monica Miller reports

"I go back to the same people and I see them in the cafeteria and I'm like 'hey October, don't forget New York Cares Day October 23rd,'" Hicks told WCBS 880's Monica Miller.

It is the 19th year that New York Cares has organized the city's largest hands-on volunteer day.

Each fall, New York Cares brings volunteers to schools to paint murals, refresh classrooms, organize libraries, and brighten up playgrounds.

7th grader Malik said he will feel energized when he comes to school on Monday

"When I come to school on Monday morning, I'm excited because I see all these paintings around my room and I see a lot of paintings as I'm going up the stairs," he said.

Actress Yaya DaCosta was among the 7,000 volunteers participating in the day of service.