Over 300 volunteers in 20 different groups raked 47 lawns and put in over 1,000 hours during last weekend’s 14th Annual Rake the Town event sponsored by Great River Faith In Action.
Dozens of elderly and disabled homeowners were helped with their fall chores, and River of Life Church in Elk River thanked the homeowners and volunteers with a free meal Sunday at their church.
Diamond City bread provided bakery items for the Gather ‘Round affair (see below).
Groups consisting of church people, organizations, businesses and families gathered at designated homes with their rakes, lawn bags, gloves and trailers in the mornings and afternoons of Oct. 29 and 30. Some of the volunteers worked all day, while others choose to work in three or four hour blocks.
Most groups traveled no further than 10 miles from their home community and they were encouraged to bring trucks, trailers; rakes, tarps and gloves and leaf blowers - if available. The volunteers sometimes ask the homeowner to provide lawn bags when necessary and the piles of leaves are then gathered and delivered to local composite sites.
The other side of this great day is called the “Gather ‘Round.” This is a free meal that is prepared and served by a special group of volunteers just for the volunteers and homeowners. The meal begins around 11 a.m. for groups that start raking early, and is served all day until the last groups come through.
