A host of Microsoft employees and many other companies’ workers traded their indoor office spaces for a day of labor outdoors last Friday as participants in United Way of King County’s “Day of Caring.”

The more than 12,000 volunteers helped launch United Way’s 2015-16 fundraising campaign, in which the organization aims to raise $112.5 million to invest in the community.

Volunteers worked on projects for nonprofit agencies while championing United Way’s vision of creating a community where people have homes, students graduate and families are financially stable. A total of 270 nonprofit agencies received a boost from the volunteer labor, which is valued at $1.6 million.

Over at two of Community Homes, Inc.’s abodes for adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities in Redmond, Helene Wentink said the 13-person Microsoft crew was efficient with its painting, yard work and driveway graveling.

As Wentink, Community Homes, Inc.’s director of advancement, strolled between the homes on Northeast 102nd Place, the Microsoft employees waved at her and noted that they were working hard and enjoying themselves.

“It’s very important to be part of the community, and it’s nice to give back,” said Madhavi Gosalia, team leader of Microsoft’s “Color My World” crew. “It’s pride, cohesion and ownership. And you get to know the people you work with on a more personal level.”

Added Wentink: “It’s working together to make our homes look better. It’s really fun. It’s a great day.”

Wentink noted that it’s not only uplifting to watch the volunteers work diligently, but to hear them ask questions about Community Homes, Inc., as well. It’s an all-around caring atmosphere, she said with a smile.

Anita Johnson, whose 32-year-old daughter Sandy lives at one of the Community Homes, Inc., residences in Redmond, dropped by the worksites last Friday to show her appreciation for the Microsoft workers and the nonprofit.

On Community Homes, Inc., she noted: “They’re a lifesaver. My husband says that (Sandy) is the happiest person we know.” Anita added that her daughter works as an office assistant with the City of Seattle.

As the Microsoft team took a lunch break in front of a home that it worked on, resident Maria Graddon, 35, stepped outside and was in awe of the stellar job the volunteers’ had done.

“I think it’s always really cool that people are reaching out. It’s pretty rad,” said Graddon, who lives with three roommates and works at Allegro Pediatrics in Bellevue.

Graddon gave a nod to Community Homes, Inc., too, stating that the nonprofit leads people in need along the path to a better future.

Microsoft employees also volunteered at Redmond’s Hopelink and Friends of Youth, Northwest Harvest’s food warehouse in Kent, provided software training at the Kindering Center in Bellevue and lent legal expertise to the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.