ELLENDALE — Volunteers on Oct. 29 will offer helping hands for senior citizens who need assistance with autumn yard work.

Healthy Seniors of Steele County will offer a fall cleanup to area senior residents.

“Leaf raking, tending to flower beds. It’s minor things that groups can do,” said Edna Ringhofer, the executive director of Healthy Seniors of Steele County.

Ringhofer said the fall cleanup is a time where community groups such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, confirmation and church groups can come together and help out toward a good cause.

There are already six yards that are scheduled for some tending on Oct. 29, but Ringhofer said they could use more volunteers to help with the project.

Normally, volunteers are assigned one yard, but some groups can help with two yards to make sure all the tasks are completed.

“It is a wonderful and well-received project,” she said. “A lot of the seniors can’t do things themselves anymore, and they really appreciate the help.”

There will be a free breakfast for the volunteers at the Senior Community Center in Ellendale beginning at 8:30 a.m. on the day of the cleanup.

The only thing organizers ask is volunteers bring extra rakes to use.

Healthy Seniors of Steele County began 13 years ago as a Medicare project. Currently, the organization provides various support for senior living, all while supporting its vision of keeping seniors in their homes.

“We get volunteers together for spring and fall clean up, friendly visits, medical escorts, caregiver support, rest bed support along with senior and caregiver advocacy,” Ringhofer said.

They also offer fall prevention programs. Ringhofer said they can do safety assessments because falls are the No. 1 death in seniors.

 

Who to contact
The registration deadline is Friday. To register your yard, or to volunteer yourself or a group, call Cheryl at 507-475-1494.