Amid chilly winds and a forecast for snow, more than 300 volunteers spruced up the grounds surrounding three Federal Way schools.

The Federal Way Chamber of Commerce’s Advancing Leadership Youth (ALY) program held its service project, “One Day Federal Way,” 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 22 at Mark Twain Elementary, Star Lake Elementary and Totem Middle School.

Volunteers spread beauty bark, removed blackberry bushes, painted hallways and more at three schools that needed it most. Organizers hope One Day Federal Way becomes an annual tradition that touches multiple areas of the community.

Jon McIntosh, pastor at Grace Church, suggested One Day Federal Way as a class project for the ALY students. His church partnered with South King Fire and Rescue to perform similar work in August at Thomas Jefferson High School and Olympic View Elementary.

On Tuesday, he praised the volunteers for rallying behind the idea and bringing people together.”Thank you for surpassing my hopes and expectations,” he told a crowd of volunteers at Star Lake Elementary. “You are a credit to the city of Federal Way.”

Umpqua Bank handed out ice cream to the volunteers for One Day Federal Way, and adults from the Advancing Leadership program also helped out. Mayor Skip Priest, Superintendent Rob Neu, Federal Way Chamber CEO Tom Pierson, City Councilwoman Jeanne Burbidge and Federal Way School Board members Tony Moore and Suzanne Smith delivered messages of inspiration to the student volunteers.

To learn more, contact Teri Hickel: terih@federalwaychamber.com or (253) 528-0846.