Neighbors Helping Neighbors in West Linn, Oregon 9/17/11
It was that time of year again when Neighbors Helping Neighbors coordinator Bridget Saladino rounded up and coordinated the volunteers to go out and help local homeowners that can't tend to their yards either physically or financially.
No sooner did I walk up to sign in, I felt raindrops sprinkle my face..but hey..this is Portland, so a few drops of water deters no one! I checked in and went over to greet my fellow volunteers in "group 27". Most if not all but me were at this house last year, so knew it well.
I can tell you that the highlight of my day was when the owner came out and asked me to help her walk around the yard so she could see the things done. I enjoyed her talking wistfully about how her husband..long past now.. went and got a seedling pine and planted it in the yard as a young boy. The pine now soaring with a sweet memorium on it. She spoke of how he told her she would regret planting those rodies where she did because they would get huge and showed me this one lily that has been coming up every year that is hidden under another grown rodie. Her heartfelt pleasure and thankfulness of us being there just made the couple hours out of my life SO worth it.
Here is the criteria to get on the list for volunteers to come to your home. For the application, and more info, click on this West Linn Neighbors Helping Neighbors link.
* Those over 70 years of age;
* People with limited mobility;
* Military spouses with partners currently serving overseas;
* Neighbors with other critical financial or physical needs.
Want to do something to give back to your community? Look for this when it comes around again in the spring. It's a great and very rewarding way to spend a Saturday morning! Here are some pictures of the day.
Here is a great video from 2010 Neighbors Helping Neighbors
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