Some 15-hundred central Iowans took today off as a vacation day — so they could go to work. It’s part of the 8th annual “Day of Caring” which kicks off the annual fundraising campaign for the United Way of Central Iowa.Martha Willits, president of the central Iowa division, says all of the United Way groups across the state are starting their efforts too. Willits says the volunteers in today’s effort represent 80 companies, labor unions and organizations in central Iowa. They’re doing all sorts of things.Teams of between one and 130 volunteers are tackling projects today from reading to children to yard work to painting.