September 22, 2012
     
A record number of volunteers turn out to make Metro Schools brighter.     
       
More than 2,000 people participated in "Hands on Nashville Day," and schools across the county are better for it.  

On any other weekend schools would be quiet.

"This is part of Hands on Nashville Day," says TSU Professor John Miglietta.

All across Davidson County, volunteer teams are ready to work.
      
For the 11th year Hands on Nashville has partnered with Metro Schools to landscape, paint, and clean.

Volunteers from Tennessee State University are at Haywood Elementary.

"We're helping them out here at Haywood Elementary and students and faculty are doing a bunch of tasks," says Miglietta.

More than 2,000 volunteers showed up Saturday, making this the largest day of service ever.
    
Mayor Karl Dean and Congressman Jim Cooper also got involved. They spruced up the playground at Buena Vista Enhanced Option School.

Others painted classrooms at Meigs Magnet and built new benches.  
     
In all, 58 schools were visited by volunteers.

At Haywood Elementary, the team installed one of the 20 rain gardens across the county to help manage stormwater.

"To catch the water runoff when it rains from the parking lot, water the plants, and prevent water from going into the stormdrains," says Miglietta.

Students won't return to their classrooms until Monday, but when they do, they'll notice a difference thanks to some extra hands working on Nashville.

Hands on Nashville is no stranger to organizing volunteers.
    
The group played a key role after the flood in May 2010 by sending crews throughout the city.  

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