‘It’s better to give than receive’ (6 photos)

Saturday marked the tenth annual United Way and Sault College Trades Day of Caring event, in which Sault College students from various programs went to 15 homes across the city to carry out fall yard work for homeowners who are too ill or elderly to perform those tasks before winter comes.

“In another four weeks I’m scheduled for back surgery here in the Sault. I couldn’t have done all this bending in the yard. This is the third year they (the students) have been here and it’s especially helpful to us given the circumstances this year,” said Lawrence Howard, speaking to SooToday at his east end home.

“Our children don’t live in the Sault, so we get the chance to talk to some young people for a change.”

“I’m just awestruck when I see all this youth and vigour. They volunteer their time to help seniors do work which we wouldn’t have had time to get to this year. It makes the neighbourhood look nice. We’re blessed,” said Howard’s wife Darlene (who provided the students with homemade cookies).

“The students realize when they get to the houses how much the homeowners appreciate the little bit of help we’re giving by just raking leaves,” said Sam Spadafora, Sault College construction techniques program instructor.

“I teach these students it’s better to give than receive.”

Spadafora said National Supply and Lyons Timber Mart provided all the gear necessary for Saturday’s cleanup, the  Sault PUC donating its time to pick up the bags of leaves collected and placed at the curbsides of homes benefitting from this year’s Trades Day of Caring.

“We try to get the word out about the event through social media and a news release to all media sites, looking for individuals who need help to give us a call at the United Way, we get the addresses and what they need done at their homes, send the information to Sault College and coordinate with them to make it all happen,” said Rayna Evoy, United Way of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District fundraising manager.

20 Sault College students took part in this year's Trades Day of Caring.