Lise Patterson, left, and Michele Bedigan rake wood chips Friday at the YMCA’s Dempsey Garden in Auburn as Liam Benson wheels in another load. The volunteers from Androscoggin Bank were participating in United Way’s Day of Caring, kicking off this year’s $1.2 million fundraising campaign. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Barbara Stevens, a volunteer from Paychex, sands a piece of playground equipment Friday at the Sandcastle preschool in Lewiston as part of United Way’s Day of Caring. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal