Seniors Are Calling. Start Building Your ‘Rake a Difference’ Team Now!

Our phones opened Tuesday for seniors who need help getting their yards ready for winter, and it’s already clear the need for volunteers will be high for this year’s Rake a Difference. Every call is a neighbor who can’t safely rake a yard or climb a ladder anymore—and can’t afford to hire someone who can.

Here’s where you come in. Rake a Difference 2026 is Thursday, November 12, marking the 16th year Southwest Michigan has come together to help local seniors. Last year, more than 1,500 volunteers served seniors across Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties on 1 day.

Volunteer registration is open now at RakeADifference.com and closes October 16. That deadline is firm so our staff have time to organize teams and assign homes.

Six weeks may sound like plenty of time, but it goes quickly. Getting coworkers, friends, church groups, or family members to commit to a Thursday in November can take a few asks. So send the email this week. Bring it up at church. Put it in the break room or group chat. Whatever you can do now will help us build the teams we need.

And here’s the best part: Rake a Difference isn’t just about helping someone else—it’s a great way to spend a day with your own people. Grab your coworkers, friends, family, teammates, or church group and spend a few hours outside, working together and helping a neighbor. You’ll get some fresh air, get moving, have some fun, and go home knowing your team made someone’s winter a little easier. You may even get the chance to meet the senior you’re helping and hear a little of their story.

Workplace teams, church groups, school clubs and athletic teams, service organizations, families, and groups of friends are all encouraged to participate. We especially need volunteers in Cass and Van Buren counties, where we consistently need more teams to serve the seniors who call.

Raking leaves and cleaning gutters before winter can help prevent snow melt and ice dams from causing damage to a senior’s home—and keeps seniors from putting themselves at risk for falls and serious injury. United Way of Southwest Michigan is proud to bring our community together to care for our seniors while having a little fun along the way.

To volunteer, visit RakeADifference.com and select your county. If you’re willing to serve wherever you’re needed, select “Anywhere I’m needed” in the registration form.  Our staff will match senior needs with teams based on where and how long you’re available, so you won’t be asked to take on more than your team can handle.

We provide gloves, tarps, and leaf bags. You bring the rakes and, if your team is willing to clean gutters, the ladders, too. First-time team leaders can find short, step-by-step videos and everything you need to know on the website. All adult volunteers are subject to a background check.

Mark Your Calendar

• September 30: Senior registration closes. Seniors may be placed on a waiting list before then.

• October 16: Volunteer registration closes. This deadline is firm.

• November 4: Supply pickup, 1–6 p.m.

• November 5: Supply pickup, 9 a.m.–noon.

• November 12: Rake a Difference 2026!

At supply pickup, team leaders will receive gloves, tarps, bags, and the names and addresses of the seniors their teams will serve.

Know a senior who needs help? Seniors age 60 and older who cannot physically perform yard work and cannot afford lawn service are eligible on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on volunteer availability. Seniors, friends, or family members can call (269) 932-3554, Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. If we can’t answer, leave a message and we’ll return your call by the next business day. Don’t wait—senior registration closes September 30.

The 16th Annual Rake a Difference is made possible by our Major Contributors: Gast Manufacturing, AEP Foundation, and Meridian Health.

Series Sponsors: Whirlpool Corporation, Corewell Health, Silver Beach Pizza, Michigan Works! Berrien Cass Van Buren, the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, and BluCat Consulting.

Supported by: Marathon Petroleum Company, Midwest Energy & Communications, Hungerford, and Niles Precision Company.

One yard. One neighbor. One day. A whole lot of difference.

Tell your friends and neighbors, start putting a team together, and help our seniors head into winter knowing their community cares.

Visit RakeADifference.com and register by October 16.