On a brisk Saturday morning, Minneapolis resident Harmon looked on from his front step as members of the Breck High School football team rolled into his driveway. They came equipped with rakes, gloves and lawn bags, ready to help a neighbor in need.
The team participated in “Rake-A-Difference,” a one-day event that draws over 200 volunteers to assist people who need help taking care of their lawns. Rake-A-Difference is coordinated by Senior Community Services, A Minnetonka-based nonprofit that supports older adults and caregivers. Senior Community Services receives Title III funding through Trellis for their chore, homemaker and caregiver programming.
Three years ago, Harmon reached out to the United Way’s 2-1-1 line looking for assistance with outdoor chores. He was connected with Senior Community Services, and the organization has helped him receive volunteer assistance ever since. Volunteers with Senior Community Services have helped with painting touchups, replacing a toilet and yard work. “Every time they come, it’s top notch. I couldn’t do it without them,” says Harmon.
Breck has partnered with Senior Community Services for several years, recruiting students and families to assist with the Rake-a-Difference event and other volunteer opportunities.
“Through Rake-A-Difference, students have an opportunity to practice helping our neighbors,” says Frederique Schmidt, Breck’s Dean of Community Engagement. “One of the most important things students learn during their time at Breck is a habit of thinking of others. Our work with Senior Community Services gives me a real-life context to talk to them about the value of older adults staying in their own homes. We also talk about the negative effects of social isolation, the power of community, and the benefits of intergenerational connection.”
At Harmon’s house, it isn’t long before the football team finishes raking the front yard and moves to the back to fill even more lawn bags. Harmon thanks them one by one as they make their way around the house.
“We hear from the older adults we serve that life has gotten so much more complicated as they’ve gotten older,” says Emma Friend, Senior Community Services’ Marketing and Communications Coordinator. “Breck’s continuing support of older adults proves that it’s possible to build a community where people know help will come when they call, and where no one is left to figure it all out on their own.”
In total, this year’s Rake-a-Difference campaign resulted in 20 yards raked—and 275 bags full of leaves! It’s just one example of how volunteers can have an impact in the community, one person—or one yard—at a time.
If you would like to volunteer to help older adults and caregivers in your community, check out these resources:
