Key Bank employees took time out of their work day to help others. Branches all across the Rochester area closed Thursday afternoon to help with community projects.

For the past 22 years, Key Bank employees have participated in Neighbors Make a Difference day. The idea started in Alaska, where employees participated in community projects for non profit organizations.

Key Bank president Jim Carriero says it's important to give back to the community.

"It's a big day because we recgonize in this activity that we do together that we are committed to the communities that we serve. They get to see us working hand in hand with them, as well as the fact that we get to make a contribution to people that we have a high regard for," said Carriero.

More than 75 employees from 16 different offices took part in the Neighbors Make a Difference Day.

Students at Rochester's Northwest College Prep High School spent some time out of the classroom Thursday to help clean up around campus and their neighborhood.

Students and staff helped out in a variety of ways for about four hours as part of the school's annual Day of Caring. Some washed cars in front of the school, others pulled weeds and planted flowers in the school's courtyard. Staff and students even grabbed a brush and painted a house for an elderly woman who lives across the street from the school.

"It's all about your heart and your pride. To do something like this you have to really have a passion to help people and once you find that passion it is easy to give it to other people. And before you know you have a whole school willing to help everybody," said Elias Amador, senior.

Other projects included cleaning up nearby playgrounds, reading to elementary students, a jump rope marathon, and a visit to St. Ann's Nursing Home to say hello.

Some of the car wash proceeds went to benefit Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong.