MUNDY TWP., MI -- Diplomat Pharmacy's sales team gathered at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre on Wednesday, June 27, to volunteer their time with United Way of Genesee County.

Together they cut and tied strips of recycled plastic bags to create plastic yarn, or "plarn," that would later be crocheted into blankets for the homeless. The blankets are waterproof and could be used as a sleeping mat or for warmth.

United Way Volunteer Coordinator Diane Woodruff headed the event and estimated that over 200 balls of "plarn" were made.

"That bit of touch from another community member, the significance that gives them that someone knows they're still alive and still cares, can be the turning point for them," Woodruff said.

Kaiti Sullivan

Boxes of rolled up plastic is taken to the stage to be counted at the Diplomat volunteer day on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre in Mundy Township. The team with the most balls of "plarn" won.

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Jamie Venable, director of impact at the United Way, moves boxes of "plarn" to be counted at the Diplomat volunteer day on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre in Mundy Township. Over 200 balls of plastic strips were put together to later be crocheted into blankets.

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Lauren Ganapini roles strips of plastic bags at the Diplomat Pharmacy volunteer day. "If we can give back while also building a stronger team, and getting to know each other better, it's a win-win," Ganapini said, "This is a nice reminder that this goes a long way."

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

"Volunteerism is a way to support and grow your community, especially a community like flint that's trying to make a comeback, said United Way Genesee County Volunteer Coordinator Diane Woodruff, "If I'm there to help someone today, maybe when I need it, it'll be there. If we can do that as a community, then we can really start to make a difference". Woodruff was in charge of organizing the Diplomat volunteer day.

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Ashley Huneycutt helps her team roll strips of plastic into balls at the Diplomat volunteer day. Diplomat partnered with United Way of Genesee County to help create blankets made of recycled plastic bags for the homeless.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Deborah Chrastil pumps her fist after learning that her team made the most "plarn." "Plarn" is what they called the strips of plastic rolled into balls that will later be used for crocheting blankets for the homeless.

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Diplomat sales team employees roll strips of plastic bags into balls. Diplomat partnered with United Way of Genesee County to help create blankets made of recycled plastic bags for the homeless.

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Ruth Berling claps at the end of Diplomat's volunteer day on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre in Mundy Township. The coworkers were split into teams to see who could put together the most balls of plastic yarn.

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Diplomat sales team employees tie together strips of plastic bags at the at the Diplomat volunteer day on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre in Mundy Township. Diplomat partnered with United Way of Genesee County to help create blankets made of recycled plastic bags for the homeless. Kaiti Sullivan | MLive.com

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Tiffany Beath tears strips of plastic bags apart at the Diplomat volunteer day on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre in Mundy Township.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Carolyn Dikos and Deborah Chrastil help tie together strips of plastic at the Diplomat volunteer day.

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Diplomat sales team employees tie together strips of plastic bags at the at the Diplomat volunteer day on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre in Flint. Diplomat partnered with United Way of Genesee County to help create blankets made of recycled plastic bags for the homeless. Kaiti Sullivan | MLive.com

Don't Edit

Ruth Berling helps her team tie together strips of plastic bags.

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Boxes of rolled up plastic is taken to the stage to be counted. The team with the most balls of "plarn" won.

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Tiffany Beath and Eric Carlson help each other roll a ball of plastic strips. "This is just another representation of how we can help the community and provide a service for those who need it most," Carlson said, "It's just great to be able to give back, especially when we get to work with a team like this."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Katie Gosling and Andy Arambula help each other roll strips of plastic bags into softball-sized balls. Diplomat partnered with United Way of Genesee County to help create blankets made of recycled plastic bags for the homeless.

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Troy Veldkamp rolls strips of plastic into a ball at the Diplomat volunteer day on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre in Mundy Township. "It's more than just working in the community," Veldkamp says." I think it's important to give back to the community as well."

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Ashley Huneycutt helps her team roll strips of plastic at the Diplomat volunteer day.

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

United Way Genesee Serves Volunteer Coordinator Diane Woodruff announces which team made the most balls of "plarn" at the Diplomat volunteer day on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre in Mundy Township. Over 200 balls of plastic strips were put together to later be crocheted into blankets.

Don't Edit

Kaiti Sullivan

Joseph Watson ties together strips of plastic bags at the Diplomat volunteer day on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre in Mundy Township. Diplomat partnered with United Way of Genesee County to help create blankets made of recycled plastic bags for the homeless.

Don't Edit