WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A tradition since the mid-aughts is back this weekend to give back to the Wausau Community.
This Saturday is the United Way of Marathon County’s annual Make a Difference Day. Krista Mischo, the volunteer engagement coordinator for the United Way, says the day is mainly focused on raking yards for those in the greater Wausau community who struggle to get out of the house.
“Several groups are coming together to rake people’s lawns who are elderly or disabled in the area. We’ve also had groups going out all week as well from companies and from schools. More will be meeting tomorrow and heading out in a larger group tomorrow and Monday.”
The day usually just consists of raking leaves, but this year there is a new partnership for Make a Difference Day. This year Spectrum has partnered with the United Way to give away Safe and Healthy Home kits to the homes volunteers will be raking. Mischo explains that Spectrum came to the United Way for the partnership.
“They have offered to contribute kits tomorrow to the people’s yards who are getting raked that are called Safe and Healthy Home kits. They include things such as a smoke alarm, some weather stripping. I think there’s a flashlight, a little FM/AM radio, etc.”
Volunteers for the event are encouraged to sign up to volunteer before the day of the event. And Mischo says it’s a good thing people signed up early because this year will be the biggest turn out of volunteers for the event since it began in 2007.
“We have had a great outpouring more this year than we ever have. Especially from the groups and companies like school groups and corporate groups. We are going to have I think about a thousand people. Last year it was about 700, this year my numbers are at like 979.”
There are also options for those who want to help on Make a Difference Day but can’t rake leaves. Mischo says the United Way is running a couple of different product drives out of First United Methodist Church Saturday morning to accept items from the community.
“Anything that’s a non-perishable food item. And that food will go to the Marathon County Hunger Coalition, which will distribute it to food pantries in the area. There’s a toiletries drive which we’re conducting tomorrow as well. And that will go to the Workplace Volunteer Council’s Back to Basics project. And then people can bring in any type of coats for Coats for Kids.”
Pre-registration was recommended but Mischo says the United Way will be excepting walk-ins on Saturday morning to rake yards. All volunteers should meet at First United Methodist Church between 8 and 8:30 a.m. on Saturday to participate. Anyone dropping off donations can do so between 8 a.m. and noon at First United Methodist.
