John Deere workers give back to the community

John Deere workers give back to the community
John Deere workers give back to the community
A number of John Deere workers had the day off on Wednesday, September 12, however this was no vacation, the Heartland Connection reports.

According to the news source, John Deere employees in Ottumwa, Iowa, used their day off to take part in several volunteer service projects, a part of the United Way of Wapello County's annual Day of Caring.

Some, including Deere's Tony Akridge, used the time to clean up tables at the Salvation Army.

"It's always good to remind ourselves, there's other things we can do out in the community with our busy schedules, at work, at home," Akridge said. "Sometimes it's good to stop and see how we can help other people in the community."

This year's charity event featured a new service, delivering food to people through Meals on Wheels, which Jim Gaines, another John Deere worker, said was a great experience and opportunity to give back to the community.

John Deere has earned a reputation for its Community Betterment program, started by the John Deere Foundation, which works with local groups to promote community development projects.