Community members are invited to arrive at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in downtown Albert Lea to the former Bible Book Store building to help with demolition work. United Way of Freeborn County Director Ann Austin suggests bringing a hammer, crow bar, work gloves and any other tools that might be useful for the project.

Each year, United Way chapters across the country engage local volunteers in meaningful work through the Week of Caring. This year, United Way joined forces with another local nonprofit, AZ-1, to complete construction on the Community Cornerstone building.

AZ-1 is a local, nonprofit organization which began with six men who would meet in prayer once a week. Their goal is to work together “as one” in Christian service to solve some major social problems and make our community a better place to live.

Community Cornerstone will have three levels and three purposes: The top floor, Life Support, will be transitional housing where men who have gone thorough the court system may continue to receive support as they transition to a positive, more meaningful life. They will be provided with job counseling, GED preparation and life skills.

The second floor, Chet’s Place, will be an inviting location for the community to relax, drink some coffee and play games or be entertained with friends and family. The basement level, Foundations, will be a meeting area where classes and meetings can be held. Both the second floor and basement level will be open for public use.

Austin said the work will take longer than one week, which is why it is dubbed Project of Caring. Demolition will continue throughout the summer. Construction will begin in late summer or early fall, once the windows have been installed. United Way will then seek volunteers from area businesses to take an hour or a day to help install drywall, floors, paint and so forth.

There will be no funding through United Way of Freeborn County for this project, Austin said; it is purely a volunteer effort to help revitalize downtown Albert Lea and provide a valuable resource for the community. Donations of materials will be gladly accepted. Please contact United Way of Freeborn County, 373-8670, if you wish to help with this project.