Volunteers from Sentara teamed up with their health care partners at Western Tidewater Free Clinic for United Way’s Day of Caring on Friday.

After a rainy week, the clinic had to find something for the volunteers to do inside. It initially had planned for the volunteers to re-seed the yard at the clinic’s Meade Parkway location.

But the smiles were bright inside as volunteers painted over scuff marks on the walls and performed various other tasks.

“It is wonderful,” said Miriam Beiler, executive director of the free clinic. “We could not do what we do for our patients without the volunteer help we get.”

The clinic serves people ages 18 to 65 living at or below twice the federal poverty level in Suffolk, Franklin, and Southampton and Isle of Wight.

It provides services including general health care, dentistry, a pharmacy and more.

Beiler said many people already supported United Way and the clinic by giving through payroll deductions.

“But today’s another way they can be involved and do hands-on projects,” Beiler said. “It’s a great help.”

Sentara had two other teams who were volunteering at the Children’s Center and the H.E.R. Shelter.

The five volunteers at the free clinic were under the leadership of Lydia Dunkailo.

“I volunteer here anyway,” said Dunkailo, who works the front desk during the evening clinics. Beiler said it’s a difficult time to get volunteers to come in.

“I know a lot of people that work here,” Dunkailo said. “I just think it’s a great place. I like to give back to the community.”

Debbie Ferguson, a human resources director who came to volunteer with Sentara, said she enjoyed her first Day of Caring experience.

“It was an opportunity for me to give back and get involved and support the United Way,” she said about why she wanted to volunteer. “The free clinic is a big deal for the community.”