Early Saturday morning, residents from Plymouth, Canton and other neighboring communities joined forces to help senior citizens during Plymouth Community United Way's Make a Difference Day.

Make a Difference Day is held every fall. Volunteers come together for service projects, such as cleaning yards, flower beds and raking leaves for the elderly residents.

Lynn Wilson was thrilled to have help clearing her Plymouth Township yard.

"Boy last year I had about 13 people and they had kids that were so energetic cleaning the yard," Wilson said. "They were a blessing. I started using a cane and I can't stoop over to pick up leaves. I couldn't do it without them."

The McMillian family cleaned Wilson's yard this year. They raked leaves from the front and back yard and also took down screens and put in storm windows for her.

This was John McMillian's second year volunteering, but the first year for the rest of his family.

"I just want to serve the community and serve those who can't do it themselves," McMillian said. "Seniors want to stay in their homes and in most cases they can't keep up with the yard work. They are on a fixed income and can't hire somebody to do it for them."

McMillian's wife Pam wanted to help this year and the couple brought their two sons, Jonny and Emmanuel.

"It's great to be able to help our community," Pam McMillian said. "It's a big yard. It would be very hard for her to do on her own."

The McMillian and other volunteers met at the Plymouth Salvation Army Headquarters, where United Way provided a continental breakfast buffet and handed out garden lawn bags. Volunteers were asked to bring their own rakes, garden tools, trimmers and work gloves.

"There is a National Make a Difference Day, but the leaves aren't down around here on the National Make a Difference Day," said Krista Strobel, Plymouth Community United Way events planner. "So we do it a couple weeks later."

This is Strobel's third year helping organize volunteers.

"It's the most heartwarming thing I've ever been able to attend and set up," Strobel said. "Just one thank you from a senior citizen makes it all so worth while, for me anyways. Just being able to help out senior citizens in the area is the most rewarding thing I think I've ever done into life. I can't even put into words how excited I get for this event."

Plymouth Community United Way works with the Plymouth Community Council on Aging and Focus Hope of Canton. People can sign up for help with yardwork through the council and Focus Hope or call United Way directly.

Strobel then recruits volunteers. It takes about two months of planning for the event to come together.

"Usually it is many of the same people coming back every year," Strobel said. "We have a lot of new people this year. We have Girl and Boy Scout troops and businesses have groups coming out."

By Saturday, 278 volunteers had signed up to help about 48 older residents in the Plymouth and Canton communities.

Members of Christenson Girl Scout Troop #40479 from Canton were among the volunteers. Leanna Christenson and Susan Falkiewicz have been trooper leaders for six years.

"The girls like seniors," Falkiewicz said. "We do a lot, we go to the senior citizen home every year to do caroling. The girls really enjoy the grandmas and grandpas. And it is good to teach them how to be helpful in the community."

Christenson thought it would be a fun activity for the troop.

"We live in Canton and there's not a lot of trees there," Christenson said. "I thought raking leaves would be a fun, new experience for them."

Megan Boyd of Canton said she's a fourth-year Make a Difference Day volunteer.

"I had been wanting to volunteer and I heard about it and thought it would be fun," Boyd said.

Scott Geering of Westland works with Boyd and decided to get involved as well.

"I did it for the community involvement," Geering said. "I enjoy helping the community."

Geering used to work in the old Daisy Air Rifle factory in Plymouth and said that is what pushed him to begin being active in community events.

For more information on other ways to help and upcoming events, call 734-453-6879 or visit Plymouth Community United Way online at www.plymouthunitedway.org.

If you are looking for volunteer opportunites or would like to others in Plymouth know how to help, visit www.plymouth-mi.patch.com/volunteer.