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Recently around 125 volunteers gathered to turn a vacant lot in Buffalo, N.Y. into a $250,000 playground. From 169 companies and institutions in Erie County and 54 in Niagara County, the volunteers came to participate in the 15th annual United Way Day of Caring. More than 3,000 volunteers participated at 160 sites across Erie County and in Niagara County, 676 volunteers assisted on 50 community projects. Their job consisted of interior and exterior cleaning, landscaping, painting, removing carpet and laying down tile. At the Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center of Western New York, home to a community development organization on the East Side, volunteers built a community playground in just one day. A deck was constructed, planter boxes were installed, fencing was put up and playground equipment in an array of colors was set up.
Recently around 125 volunteers gathered to turn a vacant lot in Buffalo, N.Y. into a $250,000 playground. From 169 companies and institutions in Erie County and 54 in Niagara County, the volunteers came to participate in the 15th annual United Way Day of Caring.
More than 3,000 volunteers participated at 160 sites across Erie County and in Niagara County, 676 volunteers assisted on 50 community projects. Their job consisted of interior and exterior cleaning, landscaping, painting, removing carpet and laying down tile.
At the Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center of Western New York, home to a community development organization on the East Side, volunteers built a community playground in just one day. A deck was constructed, planter boxes were installed, fencing was put up and playground equipment in an array of colors was set up.
Next, a gravel pit will be put together, which requires less upkeep than a sand box and has a better drainage system, according to Joy Kuebler, a landscape architect from North Tonawanda who designed the playground. Colorful window art on the side of the center facing the playground was included in the design and was painted by a team of artists, said spokesperson Ann McCarthy. Pictured are a police officer, a landscape architect, a firefighter, teacher, astronaut, scientist and a doctor. Marlies Wesolowski, the executive director of the Matt Urban Center said the building of the playground was generating a great deal of excitement from residents of the community. John Zeck was among the volunteers who participated in an effort to make an impact. "This is the thing to do. I enjoy helping out the community," said Zeck. The Day of Caring gives people a chance to evoke change in the lives of others. "It?EUR??,,????'???s a day when people really get the power of giving and making a difference," said Arlene Kaukus, president of the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County. "For many, it?EUR??,,????'???s the beginning of a commitment to a life of volunteering," she added. Nancy, Enis, the financial manager at Kuebler?EUR??,,????'???s landscaping firm, even brought her infant son to the playground site. You look around, and it?EUR??,,????'???s a symbol of hope, a gem. I hope a lot of kids will enjoy it, and it will enrich their lives," she said. "It?EUR??,,????'???s exciting to be a part of it." On the West Side, more volunteers from M&T Bank cleaned up at the site of the playground of the Butler Mitchell Boys & Girls Clubhouse. Workers removed glass from the parking lot, playground and basketball court and weeded the playing field. "We?EUR??,,????'???re trying to make the environment more efficient for them," said Jennifer Burser, who works at the Fountain Center bank branch. Source: The Buffalo News "It?EUR??,,????'???s a day when people really get the power of giving and making a difference" ?EUR??,,????'??+Arlene Kaukus, president of the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County.
Next, a gravel pit will be put together, which requires less upkeep than a sand box and has a better drainage system, according to Joy Kuebler, a landscape architect from North Tonawanda who designed the playground.
Colorful window art on the side of the center facing the playground was included in the design and was painted by a team of artists, said spokesperson Ann McCarthy.
Pictured are a police officer, a landscape architect, a firefighter, teacher, astronaut, scientist and a doctor.
Marlies Wesolowski, the executive director of the Matt Urban Center said the building of the playground was generating a great deal of excitement from residents of the community.
John Zeck was among the volunteers who participated in an effort to make an impact. "This is the thing to do. I enjoy helping out the community," said Zeck.
The Day of Caring gives people a chance to evoke change in the lives of others. "It?EUR??,,????'???s a day when people really get the power of giving and making a difference," said Arlene Kaukus, president of the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County. "For many, it?EUR??,,????'???s the beginning of a commitment to a life of volunteering," she added.
Nancy, Enis, the financial manager at Kuebler?EUR??,,????'???s landscaping firm, even brought her infant son to the playground site.
You look around, and it?EUR??,,????'???s a symbol of hope, a gem.
I hope a lot of kids will enjoy it, and it will enrich their lives," she said. "It?EUR??,,????'???s exciting to be a part of it."
On the West Side, more volunteers from M&T Bank cleaned up at the site of the playground of the Butler Mitchell Boys & Girls Clubhouse. Workers removed glass from the parking lot, playground and basketball court and weeded the playing field.
"We?EUR??,,????'???re trying to make the environment more efficient for them," said Jennifer Burser, who works at the Fountain Center bank branch.
Source: The Buffalo News
Francisco Uviña, University of New Mexico
Hardscape Oasis in Litchfield Park
Ash Nochian, Ph.D. Landscape Architect
November 12th, 2025
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