Bloomington Homeowners Grateful for Make A Difference Day
Posted on Nov. 13, 2009
Make A Difference Day has been a tradition at Northwestern Health Sciences University for many years. This year, the beautiful weather was an asset to the Northwestern volunteers as they rose early on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, and began to rake the yards of senior citizen homeowners at 9 a.m. The group of 11 volunteers was smaller than in previous years, but they still made a big impact. Volunteers were massage therapy student Josie DeBrock; and employees Cate Petoe, Andy Hoppin, Renee DeVries, Lynne Heafey, and Cathy Wigstrom. Heafey’s daughter Tara Wright helped out, as did Wigstrom’s daughter Paige, and two friends Taylor Marcone and Alex Thorson.
“We raked two homes,” said Ryan Chapman, community relations coordinator. “One home proved to be a challenge; there were seven of us and it took two and a half hours and 45 extra-large garbage bags to get it all done. It was the toughest house I've worked on yet.”
Darlene Narlock, owner of the house, expressed her gratitude for the help. “I don’t know how I would be able to keep up my home without volunteers like you,” she said.
The volunteers raked the yards in participation of the annual Make A Difference Day, a national event that was created by USA WEEKEND magazine and intended to gather people around the country to help others. In 2008 about 3 million people accomplished thousands of projects in hundreds of towns. Diane Newcomer
Photo: Volunteers raked enough leaves to fill 45 extra-large garbage bags. The bags stretched all the way down the driveway.