Students routinely help elderly neighbors with yard work, chores

This year marks the fifth anniversary of "Students for Seniors. " Every fall, the group tackles fallen leaves, raking yards before the first frost. In the spring, they plant flowers. Mrs. Hansen, who lives alone since her husband passed, gets help each summer with her vegetable garden. Last Wednesday, three students stopped by to weed around her tomato plants, carefully tying up the heavy vines. She offered them lemonade and homemade cookies, which they ate sitting on her porch. The program coordinator estimates they complete nearly 200 small jobs each year. Next week, several students will help Mr. Johnson fix a loose shutter on his garage.