They're digging, planting, and coming together for a good cause. It's Community Day in Staunton, and Attorney General Bob McDonnell was in the middle of the action.

McDonnell says, "Whether it's to stamp out graffiti or to improve the parks, we want to get communities together to make a difference, and that's what this is about."

Residents, volunteers, and community members are beautifying their neighborhoods to make Staunton a safer place to live.

McDonnell adds, "Over the last year there has been a little bit of gang activity that our offices have helped to work on to reduce the gang influence here in the Valley"

Staunton City Schools Testing Coordinator, Micky Fenn, says it's especially important for the children.

Fenn says, "It's just a chance to make the place a better place. Given that we work with kids, stuff like this is a nice place for kids to come and play and hopefully not be afraid...That makes our job easier in the long run."

Fenn says they're setting an example they hope the kids can follow.

He adds, "We hope it's a stronger sense of community. That ends up producing better kids and when they get to school, if they're feeling good about their community then they'll feel good about us."

Member of the Staunton City School Board, Sarah Crenshaw, says the event brings needed positive energy to the city.

She says, "They're reaching out and we are answering their calls and we are here to help."

Attorney General McDonnell says it's all about community pride.

He says, "We love Staunton...It's got 261 proud year behind us. We think better days are ahead and we are going to do everything we can in order to improve this community."

Area doctors also provided free dental, eye, and general health checks for the community.