WJHG, June 5, 2026 - Community volunteers spent their Friday morning beautifying the campus of Parker Elementary School as part of United Way’s Bay County Day of Caring.
United Way is a nonprofit that helps struggling families by mobilizing local resources.
“Doing days of caring, I think, are important because it’s a way for us to bring the community together to give back,” said Gina Littleton, the President and CEO of United Way Northwest Florida.
United Way says they chose Parker Elementary because it is a community partnership school.
“What that means is the kids who come here have wide-ranging needs,” said Volunteer Kevin Elliott. “So instead of those kids having to go to multiple places to have those needs met, the school partners with local organizations to meet them.”
Volunteers from across the community spent their morning painting, cleaning, landscaping, and beautifying the campus.
“This feels good, to come and help our local kids so they can have a great educational year next year,” said Elliott. “It also just feels good as a person, as a citizen of Bay County to know we are supporting the organizations that support our kids.”
It is something they hope the students and staff can take pride in.
“I think for the students here, to know that the community came together, in order to make this place more beautiful than it already is,” said Littleton. “I think they’re going to take a lot of pride in that.”
United Way estimates over 40 volunteers came out to help beautify Parker Elementary School.