Tim Cureton's job doesn't usually involve breaking a sweat. But it did yesterday.

He and 19 other employees at FirstEnergy Corp's Bay Shore Plant in Oregon spent their day trimming hedges, cleaning playgrounds, spreading mulch, and planting flowers at the Weiler Homes in East Toledo.

Their volunteer work was coordinated through United Way of Greater Toledo as a preview of its Day of Caring program. The employees focused their work around Hope House, a family services program in the Weiler Homes run by East Toledo Family Center.

As Mr. Cureton, 39, shoveled gravel along a walking path to the housing project's playground, he said the day's chores were proving "more laborious" than his desk job at the power plant, yet more enjoyable and rewarding.

However, the work was a welcome "rest" for plant worker Mike Orlowski, 51, of Toledo, who said his workdays can involve repairing turbines and compressors in 115-degree heat.

"This work is much easier - and cooler," he said, while edging sidewalks with a shovel.

The United Way's Day of Caring program matches companies that want to volunteer in their communities with work projects at nonprofit agencies. Organizers are hoping to accomplish 100 such projects during this year's Day of Caring, scheduled for Sept. 6.

Steve Smith said that before he let them know they had the day off, some plant workers volunteered vacation time to take part in yesterday's project.

"As a plant director, I'm looking for ways to build teamwork at the plant, plus this has the added benefit of helping the community," Mr. Smith said.

Misty Boyer, a 19-year-old mother of three, watched as volunteers finished sprucing up the lawn. "It's starting to look nicer," she said.

Contact JC Reindl at:

jreindl@theblade.com

or 419-724-6050.

First Published June 24, 2006, 12:36 p.m.