If you, in one day, had painted several buildings, cleaned a women's shelter, painted a foster home and tackled 11 other projects, what would you be, besides tired?

Maybe well-paid and maybe superhuman?

How about not paid at all, mere human and happy to do it - and happy there were many people helping you to shoulder the load?

Last year's Day of Caring effort, organized by Missouri Slope Areawide United Way, brought together 487 volunteers, and with donations from local businesses, the volunteers accomplished all those things and more in one day.

And it's happening again.

On Wednesday, another Day of Caring happens.

Last year, there were 14 projects. This year, there are 19.

And more volunteers are needed.

The day starts at 7 a.m. Wednesday with a free breakfast at Mandan Community Center, 901 Division St., and then after a program and some speeches, the volunteers take off for various projects, working until about 3 p.m. Lunch also is provided.

This year, volunteers will be at the Abused Adult Resource Center and do yard work there; paint the Seeds of Hope thrift store's basement; paint the Bismarck-Mandan Orchestral Association office; work on a new walking trail for the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District; clean up a tree row at Buckstop Junction and paint two buildings there; clean three group foster homes; clean the Dakota Zoo's grizzly bears' fence; paint a fence at Fort Lincoln State Park; paint hockey boards at a Mandan hockey rink; do improvements to the Mental Health America of North Dakota's new building at 523 N. Fourth St.; paint murals at the YMCA;paint the exterior of the historic church at Camp Hancock; paint residents' rooms at an abused child facility, the Manchester House; paint shelves at the Ruth Meiers Hospitality House's 23rd Street facility, where they store donations; paint walls inside the Salvation Army building in Bismarck; paint walls and rearrange supplies at Theo Art School; install a memorial pond at Tracy's Sanctuary; and stain steps and the decks at Youthworks.

For more information, call 255-3601 or visit http://msaunitedway.com.