Thank you to Community SERVE Day volunteers who took the time to volunteer at three elementary schools on Aug. 20: Helen Keller, Henry David Thoreau and Norman Rockwell.

About 300 volunteers from PTAs, school communities, and local faith communities spent the day helping the three schools get ready for the first day of school. They spread bark around play areas, painted U.S. maps on playgrounds, planted flowerbeds, and helped teachers set up classrooms.

The Northshore Community Church organizes the event in partnership with the Lake Washington and Northshore school districts. The annual day of service draws more than 2,400 volunteers to 24 schools in Bothell, Kenmore, Kirkland, Redmond and Woodinville to help prepare for the school year.