New program seeking teen volunteers for elderly lawncare

Alicia Hatfield, the outreach coordinator for Wheatheart Nutrition in Blackwell, is seeking local student volunteers to assist area residents ages 65 or older with bi-weekly lawn care.

The project is part of Hatfield’s training with the Oklahoma Aging Advocacy Leadership Academy.

The program will involve Blackwell students volunteering to do lawncare at the homes of the elderly.

Hatfield said her goal is to offer opportunities for high school students not only to receive valuable community service credit, but also to receive life lessons and experience.

Hatfield spoke to Blackwell High School Principal Gerry Magin and said Magin supports the program.

“He really helped get the ball rolling and was very encouraging,” Hatfield said of Magin. “Of course, it is the middle of the summer right now, but once the school year starts, he was going to start putting it out to all the student groups.

“I was raised by my grandma, and I think having young teens working with the advanced age population will have huge benefits to both. The younger generation can help them with technology or anything else. The older generation can give them a lot of valuable insight, life lessons, all of that.”

Hatfield said she saw a need for a program like this as soon as she moved to Blackwell in 2022.

She is seeking volunteers for the program as well as donations for lawnmowers, gas and other equipment.

Those interested can call 580-352-8176.