The United Way of Southwest Michigan is now taking registrations for its annual Rake A Difference day of action, set this year for November 12.
The United Way’s Debbie Ramirez tells us with Rake A Difference, teams of volunteers visit the homes of seniors throughout Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties to rake leaves and clear gutters. The event attracted 1,500 volunteers last year, and Ramirez says because they’re covering all three Southwest Michigan counties, they need volunteers from all three.
“Folks in Covert and South Haven and Lawrence or Cassopolis and Vandalia and Edwardsburg — we need teams who are willing to serve here in Berrien County, but it’s also great to have teams who are able to serve in those outlying areas as well,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez says they need volunteer teams of all sizes because they’ll be visiting properties of all sizes. The seniors who receive help with each Rake A Difference certainly appreciate it.
“Some of these seniors are in tears because they know they want to stay in their home and being able to take care of and maintain their home inside and outside is part of what that looks like for them to be able to stay in their home.”
And Ramirez says just a few hours can make a big difference.
Registrations are being taken at the United Way of Southwest Michigan’s website now. Ramirez invites all to gather their coworkers, bring together family, and recruit fiends, classmates, their church groups, or clubs to spend a few hours together doing something that makes a real difference for a neighbor.
