“Rake A Difference” mobilizes volunteers to help seniors with fall yardwork
MEDIA RELEASE
UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN
9/5/18
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ryan Cheevers / 269.932.3546
“Rake A Difference” mobilizes volunteers to help seniors with fall yardwork
Sign-ups open for United Way of Southwest Michigan’s 8th annual Day of Action for Seniors
Before winter hits, raking your yard and cleaning out your gutters is a vital step to ensuring spring snow melt does not cause water damage to your home or lawn. Many area seniors try to accomplish this work on their own, putting them at risk for falls and serious injury. United Way of Southwest Michigan is inviting our community to give them a helping hand when prepping for winter.
On Thursday, November 8, hundreds of area volunteers, working as teams, will help seniors in Berrien and Cass Counties rake and bag leaves and clean gutters as part of United Way’s 8th annual Day of Action for Seniors. The service is FREE of charge and serves seniors, age 60 and older, who are physically unable to perform yardwork and can't afford to pay for services. Seniors are helped on a first-come, first-serve basis, dependent on the number of volunteers recruited.
“It’s very tough for many people in our community to winterize their homes, and this gives us one day to make a big difference,” stated Anna Murphy, President of United Way of Southwest Michigan.
In 2017, the event saw more than 730 volunteers help over 230 senior citizens.
Seniors and volunteers can sign up at uwsm.org/rakeadifference by October 12.
Major sponsors are The Home Depot Foundation – Store #2768, AEP, D.C. Cook Plant, French Paper Co., Gast Manufacturing, and the McLoughlin Family Foundation. Other sponsors are Andrews University, Chemical Bank, Hastings Mutual Insurance Co., Kemner Iott Benz, Kinexus, Lindberg/MPH, Niles Precision Company, Plante Moran, Silver Beach Pizza, United Federal Credit Union, and Vail Rubber Works.
ABOUT UNITED WAY
United Way of Southwest Michigan fights for the Health, Education and Financial Stability of every person in every community. We have the influence and relationships to make sustainable change a reality. By harnessing resources from corporate, nonprofit and public partners, we provide immediate assistance to our most vulnerable populations while addressing the root causes of our community's longstanding challenges and changing lives for the better. To join the fight—through giving, advocacy and volunteering—visit www.uwsm.org.
###
