16 years ago, Jane Stegner and her husband bought their Golden Valley home because of its large yard and multiple flower beds.

“I love to garden, it’s such a personal thing, I have planted just about all perennials,” says Stegner.

Stegner says she enjoys tending to her flower gardens but over the last couple of years, because of health issues, she just hasn’t been able to keep it up.

“I can’t be on my knees and bending over that much, and to pay for help would be so expensive.”

But then Stegner read about a city wide volunteer program called “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” in the Golden Valley city’s newsletter.

“I hesitated to call because I thought there may be others who needed it more than me,” she says.

Organizers heard this from several people, so they decided to host a one day blitz around Golden Valley to show what they do and encourage people who need the help to call. 

On Saturday, more than 40 volunteers from local churches and groups decided to roll up their sleeves and put their gloves on despite the un-spring like, cold and rainy weather Saturday morning to help out their fellow neighbors.

City council woman DeDe Scanlon says the idea for starting “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” came after seeing residents getting citations for safety issues like gutters falling down, broken windows and other home issues.

“We were seeing we had some residents who needed help, but didn’t have the means, or didn’t want to ask for help,” she says.

“Neighbors Helping Neighbors” is a grant funded program that started last year to help home owners who have trouble keeping up with home maintenance. It’s a collaboration among PRISM, Calvary Lutheran Church, Valley Community Presbyterian Church, and H.O.M.E. North/West, with support from the city of Golden Valley.

Pastor Tacho Dominguez from Calvary Lutheran’s Latino services had about a dozen volunteers eager to get to work.  Work that meant being outside in the rain,
picking up dead grass and broken branches from Jane Stegner’s yard.

“We want to give back and help our neighbors, and I wanted to teach my children the importance of giving back,” says Dominguez.

And the Stegner’s say they are very appreciative because now that they are retired, they have to watch every penny.

“Our income isn’t getting any bigger, and it’s a big factor that today’s help is at no cost to us,” says Stegner.

This free service also played a major role for John and Catherine Mamer, retirees who have lived in their home for over 40 years.

“I tend to people, not gardens, that was my husband’s job,” says Catherine Mamer. 

Her husband, John, was diagnosed with ALS four and a half years ago.  Now Catherine spends most of her time taking care of him and volunteering at the Peace House in downtown Minneapolis.

“I was quite the gardener, but now I have to pass it on to my neighbors. I’m very thankful for their help,” says John Mamer.

The Mamers say that even though they only had a few sticks and branches, they like the idea of what the program brings to Golden Valley.

“It’s a win-win for everyone. Neighbors not only get to know each other but they are giving the gift of each other while sprucing up the neighborhoods of Golden Valley,”
says Mamer.

If you or someone you know needs a little help outside or around the house, you can call “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” at 763-529-1350.