LEWISTON – Early on the United Way Day of Caring, six energetic employees of Electro-Static Technology grabbed their rakes, mowers, trimmers and paint brushes and set to work at the home of an elderly woman who is served by the Catholic Charities Maine SEARCH program.

By early afternoon, the grass had been cut, the bushes trimmed, the front porch stairs stabilized, the storm windows painted and installed and two trucks were filled to capacity with yard waste.

“The United Way Day of Caring provides a fantastic way for business employees to become involved in the lives of people who need a helping hand in this community,” said Phoebe Lowell, SEARCH program manager.

“This is the second year that Electro-Static Technology employees have helped elderly people in our program, and we could not be more appreciative. Help like this can make all the difference in whether elderly people can remain in their beloved home or have to face moving into an institutional or assisted living situation,” she concluded.

SEARCH stands for Seek Elderly Alone, Renew Courage and Hope. Its mission is to enable frail, vulnerable elderly and those with disabilities to remain independent and in their own homes for as long as possible.

SEARCH is looking for interested persons of all ages and religious denominations who would like to be a friendly telephone caller, or visitor, or part-time helper for an elderly person in Androscoggin County.

For more information about becoming a short-term or longer-term SEARCH volunteer or to refer someone as a client, call the program office at 784-0157.