A Greene County High School service project had to make some drastic changes, but continued for its 23rd year.

The Leaf Raking Community Service Project was on Wednesday and there were several changes because of COVID-19. Coordinator Teresa Green says after discussions with Superintendent Tim Christensen and Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf, students, staff and volunteers were allowed to continue helping households rake leaves.

“We felt that we could take like a fourth of our student body out and do a smaller number of yards. So we were just happy that we could continue with this kind of a cool tradition for our school. So we just had to cut back on the yards. I’m so thankful that we did get to do it.” 

Green says about 110 students, 15 staff and 12 community members volunteered their time to rake 40 yards, unlike last year’s 139 yards. She points out she usually contacts households from her growing list, but this year because of the pandemic, households had to contact the high school and students had to volunteer instead of having all of them help. 

For high school senior Kaleb Hoyle, he helped Green organize the service project. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio some of the obstacles the students faced with having a smaller group of volunteers.

“Well this year is kind of different because you weren’t with all of your friends to say. You’re one group and you’ve got to work with a bunch of different other kids, and just figure out how they work compared to you, and your friend group. This year, you just had more responsibilities and trying to – with smaller groups than it had been in the past – just getting everybody to work together.”

Green adds that the students who helped were rewarded with pizza and doughnut holes at Russell Park, where they could relax on a warm day. Green appreciates everyone’s help and the several businesses that donated items, including Jefferson Fareway and Hy-Vee, Breadeaux Pizza, Home State Bank, Peoples Bank, Heartland Bank, Wells Fargo Bank and Dunkers by Matt.