Rake N' Run spring cleaning fun
Advanced Health Care of Coeur d'Alene administrator J.R. Burt pushes a lawn mower past the colorful rocks and decorations in Dorothy Hubbard's front yard Tuesday morning in Post Falls during a Rake N' Run service day.
DEVIN WEEKS/Press
Emily Henrie, left, and Ali Storey, both of Advanced Health Care of Coeur d'Alene, pluck at weeds Tuesday morning in Post Falls during a Rake N' Run volunteer day.
Mowers roared, weeds were plucked, rakes scraped across lawns and smiles were worn by volunteers and recipients of Rake N' Run services Tuesday morning.
"These people are so special to come do this for me," said birder, painter and avid baker Dorothy Hubbard, 97, of Post Falls, as she moved with her walker through her garage to see the excitement.
"I love it," she said. "These guys are pretty damn wonderful."
Three teams from Advanced Health Care of Coeur d'Alene, CareNet and Brookdale Coeur d'Alene spent the morning at the homes of several elderly residents and those with disabilities to provide helping hands with spring cleaning and preparing yards for warm weather.
"It just makes me feel good," said Emily Henrie, Advanced Health Care hospice clinical director, as she picked weeds from a flower bed.
"We help them on the clinical side of things," Henrie said. "It's nice to help them with yard work and things, we don't get to do that very often. Knowing they can't really do it, it's nice we come out and help."
Advanced Health Care of Coeur d’Alene Outreach Director Tiffinay Walker said the work was being done as part of the Larry H. Miller Week of Service in honor of Miller's birthday. Miller's businesses encompass real estate, health care, finance and entertainment companies, including Advanced Health Care.
"We’re just all teamed up," she said. "It’s a great day of service.”
Walker has participated in Rake N' Run events for nine years through CareNet. This is the fourth year Advanced Health Care has deployed teams to volunteer.
“All of our companies — whether it’s health care, real estate, car dealership — everybody’s out this week doing stuff,” Walker said.
Also volunteering was Jeri Pleticha, a registered nurse who owns Touching Hearts at Home, which provides home care services for seniors, people with medical conditions or disabilities, those in transition from hospital to home, and those 18 or older who require the help of a professional caregiver.
"We keep people aging in place," Pleticha said. "We know the needs of clients that are unable to do for themselves, and it's good to be able to give back."
