'Serve-A-Thon' draws thousands for community service

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Five thousand people spent a beautiful Saturday serving others at the annual Chicago Cares "Serve-A-Thon."

The day started with a rally at Daley Plaza before everyone boarded buses to go to schools, parks and senior housing facilities.

At Graham School, volunteers did tasks such as painting and moving furniture. Many of the volunteers come from local businesses, but at Graham, even the students got involved.

"We like this school so much and our little brothers and our little cousins we want them to experience what we experienced in this building," said student Courtney Abenante.

"It makes me feel good doing something good for someone else," said volunteer Bernita Sykes. "Makes me feel good. You have to give a little to get a little and this is my give."

Organizers say "Serve-A-Thon" is the city's largest, single day community service project. Chicago Cares is a non-profit founded back in 1991.