Join hundreds of volunteers as they make Rockdale a better place to live in the inaugural Hands Across Rockdale day of service on April 14, 8 a.m. - noon. If you can swipe a paintbrush, pick up trash, rake leaves, plant flowers or clear brush, you can join this county-wide effort.

Volunteers will fan out to more than 20 projects across the county and city. These projects include building a trail for the developmentally disabled, picking up trash, helping senior citizens with yard work, sprucing up local schools, clinics and the animal control shelter and many more. To see the full list of projects or sign up by the March 22 deadline, go to www.handsacrossrockdale.org

The event was created by the Class of 2011 in Leadership Rockdale – a Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce program – as a way to channel the tremendous volunteer spirit in the community, explained organizer and committee co-chair Karen Benton.

"Past (Leadership Rockdale) classes have planted trees or purchased park benches for their service project. The Class of 2011 took it one step further," said Benton. "We wanted to create a legacy that could be built upon by each class following ours. We wanted to take all the ideas, energy and resources we discussed and combine all into one half day of service in order to have a greater impact."

Participants can enter their service preference and will be notified by email of their project assignment. The volunteers will then report to their project location at 8 a.m. A free celebration luncheon will be given at Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Drive SW, after the morning’s work.

Hands Across Rockdale is also a great opportunity for groups with limited time and resources looking for a service project. All projects are completed within four hours and members can walk away seeing the results of their hard work. These projects count toward student community service hours as well.

Sponsorships are still available ranging from $500 to $25 to help fund supplies needed for the day of service. Sponsors names will be included on the T-shirts, depending on sponsorship level.

To register as a volunteer or sponsor, go to www.handsacrossrockdale.org and fill out the registration form by March 22. Volunteers under 18 years old need the signed consent of a parent or guardian.

For more information, contact Katy Zahradnik at katy@conyers-rockdale.com, 770-483-7049.