For just over a year now, a La Crescent organization has provided a service where there wasn’t one before, and for area residents, it’s been the difference between whether they can live alone in their home or not.

Since July 2007, Neighbors In Action has aimed to help senior citizens and people with disabilities remain at home and maintain their independence as long as they choose, said Sandy Graves, NIA’s program coordinator. To do so, the organization recruits volunteers to go to homes and help with household chores, such as indoor cleaning, organizing, lawn raking, snow shoveling, window washing, and just about anything else an elderly person, or somebody else with a life circumstance, needs a hand with.

In addition, volunteers can stop by to just simply visit and provide companionship to someone who might not otherwise have anybody to talk with. They also transport people to and from doctors’ appointments, the grocery store, senior dining, and other errands. However, its goal is not to take away the natural neighborly or relative connections a person has, but only to provide a service for someone that no one else is able to.

“We try to fill in those gaps that are difficult for older adults, or other adults with disabilities, to fill,” Graves said, “those places were people are not able to get those needs met.”

Volunteers carry out most of the services provided, and after the first year, Graves has about 140 on her database. But still, NIA is always in need of more. People can commit whatever amount of time they feel comfortable, and Graves works to tailor a schedule based on that availability.

Since the program’s inception, these volunteers have been able to help over 150 people of varying degrees of need. In the first year, volunteers have driven over 8,000 miles and worked over 5,000 hours, which doesn’t include a lot of the behind-the-scene tasks. And during that time, NIA has been able to add services, like respite care.

“That’s one of the things that just comes naturally as we start doing this more and more,” Graves said. “I do work a lot with the county, especially public health and nursing.”

But as Minnesotans got their first taste of snow a couple weeks ago, snow shoveling is on the minds of many, especially those who aren’t sure how it’ll get done. That’s a service NIA provides, as last winter, over 30 volunteers shoveled 30 driveways, and volunteers, shovels in hand, will be back out in force this winter. Volunteers can make it a friendly gathering, too.

“Many of the driveways were adopted by groups,” she said. “The (LCHS) basketball team was wonderful last year. They adopted several driveways. I’m trying to work with different groups at the school to foster that relationship.”

Gladys Danielson is one of those residents who have received NIA’s help. She had her yard raked in the fall, and already has someone lined up to do shoveling this winter. She’s grateful for the help she’s gotten.

“It’s wonderful,” Danielson said. “I’m really pleased with it. I think it’s wonderful to get that help. So far, it’s been mostly the lawn I’ve asked for help with.”

The volunteer who helps her, she said, does a nice job when he’s over, and although he doesn’t take money for his help, Danielson invites him in for lunch once he’s finished. It was a job she had to do herself before NIA organized, but not anymore.

“I really think they’re doing a good job,” she said.

It’s doing such a good job for so many people, that NIA has recently had to hire another part-time staff member because of the number of requests it receives. With the need to recruit new volunteers, write grants, and fill those requests, Graves needed another person to help juggle those jobs.

And although the workload is heavy now, NIA isn’t done. In the future, it would like to expand its services n and volunteer base n into Hokah. It currently serves some people there, but would like to be able to fill the need to a greater extent, because Graves is increasingly getting more referrals from that community.

She’s also considering new ways to fund the program. A current grant runs through June 2009, at which time she’ll have to resubmit the grant request. With the way state funding looks for the coming year, it’s anyone’s guess as to if it’ll receive the same financial support it has in the past. A committee is already looking at ways to get funding beyond this next year, Graves said.

Donations aren’t a requirement when receiving NIA services, but Graves asks if a person is able, to make a donation for the help they get. She also suggests family members can make a donation on behalf of relatives, if the family member cannot help with the chores. NIA is a 501c3 non-profit, and all donations are tax-deductible.

For those interested in volunteering, if you’re in need of help, or to make a donation, call Neighbors In Action at 895-5150.