Russell Jones, 9, used a leaf blower to gather leaves in the back yard of one of the six homes that senior citizens live in that needed assistance in cleaning up their yard. Jones went to help his father who is part of the Carson Leadership Class that volunteered time to go to the six homes. Photo by Brian Corley
The Carson City Leadership 2002 class wrestled with stout winds Saturday while raking leaves for seniors as part of their last monthly project before the Nov. 21 graduation.
The class, a program of the Carson City Area Chamber of Commerce, consists of 10 monthly sessions on such subjects as city government, education, public safety, tourism, health and human services and economic development.
Involving more than simple lectures, the group also does community service such as Saturday's volunteer work with seniors.
"When we needed a project I suggested this because I have a passion for seniors," said class member Gwen Currie, taking a break from scrubbing a tub.
"We said to ourselves, 'let's do something that's actually going to affect people.'"
Saturday's effort included stops at the homes of five seniors for duties ranging from cleaning bathtubs and trimming branches to checking the batteries on smoke detectors. Batteries for the detectors were donated by Custom Office Supply Inc. and new smoke detectors were donated by both Lowe's and True Value Hardware.
"We're actually installing them for some people who don't have them," said Karen Coleman, a chamber staff person who "babysits the class."
"She's our mother hen," laughed David Harrison, class president.
The day started with muffins and coffee at Currie's office where the group had an informal discussion of the problem of drugs and alcohol for all sectors of Carson City business. Then the group loaded up the caravan and headed to the first stop -- the home of Sonja Androff.
Androff, who most people call "Sunny," guided the leadership group to the trees in the back yard she wanted pruned.
"See this apple tree?" she asked. "Those limbs are so far down. That tree has needed trimming for years. That pear tree you don't have to worry about."
The group made contact with Androff through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs.
"RSVP has helped me with rides occasionally -- if it's snowing or the weather's bad," she said.
Currie, a frequent volunteer with seniors, set up the RSVP connection.
"RSVP is an awesome, awesome organization," she said. "They just don't have enough volunteers."
As the leadership class members fanned out in the yard, trimming branches with a chain saw, vacuuming and raking leaves and cleaning the tub in the bathroom, Androff expressed her appreciation for their work.
"This is a really great help," she said. "I can do a lot of the little stuff but these bigger things I can't do anymore."
Graduation for the Carson City Leadership 2002 class is planned for Nov. 21 at the Pi-on Plaza and the tentative speaker is Ray Alcorn, a retired Navy Vietnam veteran and ex-prisoner of war.
After graduation these groups often stay in touch.
"The class of '98 gets together every few months," Coleman said. People forge friendships and professional contacts that will last a lifetime."
Application are being accepted for the Carson City Leadership 2003 class. Interested parties should call 882-1565.
Information
For information on Carson City Leadership classes or to apply, call: 882-1565.