It was a week for giving back.

Maybe it’s just my line of work, but it seems like people are giving back to this community a lot lately. I’m glad there are people out there who are willing to put a little sweat and a few dollars into this community.

Two preschool classes of 3-year-olds from Hawkins Preschool donated cat litter, pet food, cleaning supplies and paper towels that the classes had been collecting for over a month to the Vicksburg Warren Humane Society.

The classes visited the humane society Tuesday to drop off the items and spend a little time petting the animals. Some children were leery of the four-legged friends, while others bravely chased the animals around the yard with handpicked grass clippings to sprinkle on the pet’s backs.

For about 15 years Charlene Gravens’ class has been providing for the humane society as the classes’ service project.

Two days later more than 200 volunteers from the community spent the day giving back at the 20th annual Day of Caring with the United Way of West Central Mississippi. Local businesses and individuals gave their time painting, gardening and cleaning at places such as the Vicksburg Community Garden, Good Shepherd Community Center, Jacob’s Ladder and The Salvation Army to name a few.

I was fortunate enough to be one of those volunteers.

A group from The Post spent the day at Grace Christian Counseling. We picked weeds, killed ants, planted flowers, hung curtains and worked on chores the busy people who work at the office every day don’t have the time to get completed.

It was such a wonderful experience to get outside, have a certain task and to see the task completed with teamwork among a group of people. I got to know some of my coworkers better while trying to make the community a little better place at the same time.

It was slightly therapeutic to do some manual labor and work with my hands, and I gained more respect for the counseling center and the work the employees do for the community’s metal health. I almost feel like we didn’t do nearly enough!

I hope to join in on this rewarding day again next year, and I encourage everyone else to do the same!

Friday night I was blown away at the number of people that attended the pancake dinner and silent auction at the Knights of Columbus to support Mia Calnan, a 7-year-old who has been diagnosed with leukemia for the second time. There was no parking left outside the KC Hall, and the food line stretched through the hall and out the door.

Mia’s aunt Heather set up the fundraiser and said she knew the community would support her niece, and she was right. I know planning the event was stressful for Heather, but I’m so glad the event was a success and hopefully it will help ease some of the family’s financial burden.

Thanks Vicksburg for doing your part!

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Alana Norris is a staff writer for The Vicksburg Post. Email comments to alana.norris@vicksburgpost.com.