Community projects are important to this community and one only needs to look to two long-term projects to prove it.

Wescott Field and the Riverland ball diamonds have undergone renovations in the last few years.

And almost all of that push to get these projects accomplished has been through volunteer work.

The Wescott Field Committee has been dogged in its pursuit of volunteers and funding to revamp the athletic complex, which includes a football field, soccer field, track and tennis courts.

The project still needs funding to finish the locker rooms and tennis courts, but the cause doesn't lack volunteers.

Saturday was just one recent show of the pride the community has in Wescott Field. About 40 volunteers spent their Saturday painting, digging or cleaning at the athletic complex.

And at the Riverland ball diamonds, volunteers have been hard at work to get as much done on four new diamonds there.

About 1,000 hours of work have been put in by volunteers over the last two years.

Again, this project also needs more donations in order for it to be completed. Lights and bleachers are among the parts that are still needed to finish the project.

Many of these volunteers have helped throughout the whole project and others put time in for both. Some came out to Wescott on Saturday for the first time.

We applaud these volunteers for giving their time and energy during their free time. And we also encourage individuals, businesses and organizations in the area to consider donating to the project.

The volunteers' time and effort show just how valuable these projects are to the community.