Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Edward Jones United Way Day of Caring team rakes leaves at a Franklin St. N. residence Thursday. From left, Sarah Rotering, Jenna Fleck and Paula Wenninger.

NEW ULM — Several dozen volunteers began giving back to the community Thursday with the United Way of Brown County’s 27th annual Fall Days of Caring.

United Way Executive Director Sandra Juni said 129 volunteers are working on 35 projects throughout the county for the disabled and senior citizens.

The event is an opportunity for community members to come together and positively impact the lives of those in need by providing services to individuals unable to complete tasks on their own.

Projects can vary widely and may include small painting projects, raking leaves, washing windows, cleaning gutters, and other yard work.

Participants are encouraged to recruit family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to form teams ranging in size from two to ten people. Teams can choose the day and times, then matched with project requests.

The Edward Jones team of Paula Wenninger, Jill Wilfahrt, Sarah Rotering and Jenna Fleck raked leaves and cleaned up a yard on Franklin Street North Thursday morning.

“This is our second year of giving back to the community. It’s good to get out and help people that can’t get out on their own and don’t have family around here. If it was my parents, I’d want someone helping them,” said Rotering.

“It’s nice to be supported by your employer to do this. Edward Jones promotes volunteerism by allowing us to do this with our co-workers during part of our work day,” she said.

Wenninger said the event is well-received by residents.

“People are so appreciative of us. We talk to everybody when we come. When we leave, we talk to people again, asking them if there is anything else we can do. It’s a good feeling and it’s fun to get together with our group,” she said.

Wenninger encouraged residents to ask for help, and for volunteers to sign up for the event and ask their employers if they would support it.

Teams continue to help people Friday and Saturday.

“We encourage people to not miss out next year. Many people have been with us year after year. Call us or register online.

Residents and volunteers can contact the Brown County Area United Way Office about Days of Caring beginning in late September. For more information and register a team, visit https://unitedwaybrowncountyarea.org/ or call 507-354-6512.