Kids help prepare for On the River

Posted: Jun 24, 2011 12:43 PM EDT

By Britt Conway, Multimedia Journalist, FOX28

A day of fun in the sun for a good cause. That's what On the River is all about.

The big event on the banks of the St. Joseph River in South Bend is a little more than a month away and organizers are in full swing getting everything ready. That includes preparing the 'beach' area. Volunteers from Target and the Boys and Girls Club of St. Joseph County were on site Friday to lend a hand. They pulled weeds, picked up trash and raked the sand.

"The whole mission of On the River is to transform the landscape of our community," says Event Director Aaron Perri, "and also transform the lives of those folks that live at the Center for the Homeless. So these kids are getting a chance to really make a direct impact on their community themselves."

Amanda Burkhart is one of the volunteers who came with the Boys and Girls Club.

"It makes me feel good to help people because I know that they don't have a lot right now," says the sixth grader. "I like yard work and I like helping people so it's like a bonus."

On the River takes place August 5th and 6th. All of the proceeds go straight to the South Bend Center for the Homeless.