Volunteers take up the rakes to help those who can’t

• Among the volunteer rakers were members of the Hudson Crusaders hockey team

Chasing leaves instead of hockey pucks are, from left, rakers are Ashland Wendlandt, Jen Wendlandt and members of the Hudson Crusaders hockey team Brent Finnigan, Sean Stewart, Andy Parrott, Cody Ruplinger and Kenton Manhart.
• Volunteers helped out the Koenig family

The Koenig family was short on help for this fall’s yard work. Bob Koenig is currently serving in Iraq and the volunteers offered to help out with the raking. Pictured, from left, are Eric Anderson, Kyla Flug, Rhea Blazer, Reese Blazer, Nicci Koenig with daughters Isabel and Emile, holding a photo of their father, Bob, and Cody Chandler.

Talk about it

Recently more than 55 volunteers, mostly teens, went to work on cold and blustery Saturday to tackle fall cleanup at more than 16 homes. It was a community-wide service project organized by Community Action. The volunteers came from four groups includingCommunity Action, DECA- a business group at Hudson High School, St. Patrick’s Church, and the Hudson Crusaders hockey team.

Among the homes the volunteers hit was that of Nikki and Bob Koenig. Bob Koenig is currently serving with the military in Iraq. Their daughters Isabel and Emilie showed the volunteers a photo of their dad.

In addition to the yard work, volunteers also knitted 13 hats for Hats From the Heart, headed up by Brooke Brokaw. On Dec. 2 their hats will be among more than 200 that will distributed from The United Way of the St. Croix Valley’s Food Resource Center. 

Community Action youth coordinator John Oman said, “It was a cold day, the leaves were wet, and most of the kids worked longer than they were asked and I didn’t hear one complaint.  Most homeowners were incredibly appreciative.”

The volunteers were nourished with food donated by Hudson Bagel, Barley’s Pizza, and Pizza Hut.

Tags: hudson, community_action, raking, volunteer