Posted at: 10/06/2012 7:00 PM
By: Brittany Lewis

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Day of Caring Offers Neighbors Needed Help

(ABC 6 News) -- Taking a few hours out of your day to help out a neighbor might not seem like a lot, but it can have a big impact. Hundreds of volunteers spent the day helping out their neighbors with all sorts of tasks.

Mary Schroeder lives at home by herself. Tasks like raking leaves and cleaning windows, once simple, are now difficult for her.

"It would take me a long time, not a couple of hours," she said.

So a team of experts were called in. The kids and their parents are part of a group of nearly 300 volunteers that participated in the United Way of Mower County's Day of Caring.

"It's when neighbors come out to help neighbors," said Mandi Schmidt, Executive Director of United Way of Mower County.

"We work with the United Way throughout the year so this was just another way to get together as family and friends and help somebody that may not be able to do the things that we just take for granted and do on our own," said Jennifer Moriarty, a team captain.

This was the seventh year of the event and was the biggest yet with 37 projects.

"We help senior citizens who are still in their home living independently with projects that they normally wouldn't be able to do," said Schmidt.

Projects ranged from repairing decks to raking leaves, giving relief to people like Schroeder.

"Just the satisfaction of having the stuff done that I probably wouldn't be able to get done," she said.

And it provided a positive activity for kids, with the hope that the day of caring next year will be even better.

"I hope that there's a lot more leaves next year," said Jade, one of the girls helping.

"I just can't believe this is a valuable and I hope every body who needs it takes advantage of it," added Schroeder.

It only took the volunteers a few hours to get all of their projects done. You're encouraged to call the United Way if you would like to participate next year.