The United Way of Southwest Michigan is now seeking volunteers for this year’s Rake a Difference event, to be held November 14 all over Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties.

United Way Volunteer Director Debbie Ramirez tells us Rake a Difference is now in its 14th year. It’s a program that sends hundreds of volunteer teams out to the homes of senior citizens throughout the region to rake leaves and clear gutters.

Does Rake a Difference really make a difference?

“The seniors that we talk to are so grateful,” Ramirez said. “So many of them really used to do this work, enjoyed doing work like this, working in their gardens, working in their yards, working outside themselves. But now for a variety of reasons, they can’t do it anymore. So, many of them are still in their homes, which is where they’re the happiest, but they need to take care of their yards in order to stay in their homes.”

That’s where Rake a Difference comes in.

Ramirez says the program served about 350 seniors last year with more than 1,300 volunteers, and this year is already on pace to sign up a record number of seniors. She’s hoping Rake a Difference can attract 1,500 volunteers this time around.

You can sign up as an individual, or you can sign up a team, and the workday will be set up however you are able to serve.

The registration page for Rake a Difference can be found right here.