For the City-Times

Mary, who has arthritis in both hands, said there aren’t enough words in the English language for her to express gratitude for the help United Way volunteers provided in raking her yard last fall. For Mary, who doesn’t have family nearby, these volunteers show her that this community cares and that she hasn’t been forgotten.

“This helps a lot,” she said. “It would have been a bear of a job and taken me hours if I had to rake it myself.”

This year marks the 15th Anniversary of Portage County’s Make A Difference Day Rake-A-Thon.

“Whether your raking team volunteers every year or you’ve never participated, consider joining us on Saturday, October 25, 2014,” said Kayla Rombalski, United Way Volunteer Center Director. “Signing up is simple – gather a team of friends and family and sign up online at VolunteersRock.org/MADD.”

New this year, Make A Difference Day will be held in conjunction with Empty Bowls, an event to raise funds and awareness for homelessness in the community. Make A Difference Day volunteers will receive $2 off the price of admission to Empty Bowls and shuttle services will be offered from P.J. Jacobs Junior High School to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to Stevens Point Area Senior High School for convenience.

If you or someone you know would like to have their yard raked and connect with a volunteer team, simply call 2-1-1 to register the yard and learn more. Be sure to register by Oct. 15, 2014.

The Make A Difference Day Rake-A-Thon, coordinated by the United Way of Portage County Volunteer Center, is an event held annually on the fourth Saturday in October. The event connects teams of volunteers with elderly or disabled residents in Portage County to rake and prepare residents’ yards for winter. Many of the residents who sign up for the service have had medical concerns or surgeries, and are physically unable to stand for long periods of time, let alone rake their own yards. The raking service puts their minds at ease.

Last year, more than 900 volunteers gave a Saturday morning to help more than 150 elderly and disabled residents in Portage County.