College students were busy helping out seniors with essential winterizing tasks during the Trades Day for Caring event on Saturday.
The event, now in its 12th year, is the result of a partnership between Sault College and United Way Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District that's aimed at supporting community members in need.
“I’d say our most common task for today is raking leaves," said Marc Pilon, professor and coordinator of Civil Engineering and Construction at Sault College. "We have a lot of senior citizens that are unable to rake the leaves and lift the bags.”
Approximately 40 students from the Civil Engineering Technician and Construction Techniques programs at Sault College rolled up their sleeves to take on various tasks at three dozen homes in Sault Ste. Marie.
“It’s all raking. I have a huge backyard — I live up in Fort Creek and there’s trees everywhere," said local resident Steve Fronzi.
"The leaves are an enormous amount, which gives me quite a hard time to clean up. The biggest concern was getting the leaves done, and they took care of that for me.”
Pilon says the Trades Day of Caring is a way of giving back to the community while providing trades students with an opportunity to put their skills to practical use.
“We need to teach our students — especially in this line of work — that you’re going to be working with the public when you get older.
"Engineering and construction, you’re always dealing with the public,” he said. “It teaches them to go out and do good work and liaise with people, talk to people, get to know people, and make those connections that will be valuable for the future.”
United Way fundraising manager Rayna Evoy said that seniors have been "extremely appreciative" of the work being done on their yards and homes.
"They’ve been nothing but kind and thankful for the work that we’re doing,” she said.