An international financial company with offices in South Florida recently recruited dozens of its employees for an annual campaign to ``give a helping hand'' in the tri-country area.

During the fourth-annual Global Community Day sponsored by CitiGroup on Nov. 7, volunteers landscaped the grounds and painted the exterior of the Easter Seals South Florida Center building, located in the Civic Center area of downtown Miami.

In Fort Lauderdale, they interacted with abandoned and abused children at the SOS Children's Village, and in the Palm Beach area, helped organize the Police Athletic League 5K run.

``My feeling is that we have been able to touch the lives of people that in turn appreciate the efforts of the volunteers,'' said Juan Francisco Aleman, a volunteer.

``The work accomplished today will certainly put a smile on the faces of the 300 children and adults who visit our Miami center every week,'' said Luanne Welch, president of Easter Seals.

The South Florida participants were part of a larger network of 400,000 volunteers aiding communities in more than 90 countries.

``Citi's Global Community Day gives you an opportunity to lend a hand to your community,'' said employee Daniella Quintero, who also volunteered for Easter Seals.

``It is a pleasure and a source of satisfaction to know that you did something that contributes and impacts the lives of people.''