Alaa Frijah, a Manatee Technical Institute student in the Computer Network Support Services program, volunteered with his class for the United Way Day of Caring on October 2. Their assigned project was painting a large fence in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts. Frijah, 36, worked as store manager and took a lesser paying job so he could go back to school to change careers. Katie Becker, resource development director for United Way of Manatee, said, “Our students are up and coming business people, and they’re working alongside current business people.” Instructor Joel Hall said, “It’s a bonding experience that fosters learning and inspires students to participate in community service throughout their lives.” This is the fourth year the class has participated in the Day of Caring.