LEWISTON – Early on Sept. 15, five employees of TD Banknorth put on their United Way Day of Caring hats and went to work at the home of Viviane Dyer, a Lisbon resident who is served by the Catholic Charities Maine SEARCH program.

By early afternoon, her windows had been washed, gutters cleaned, branches trimmed and cut into pieces, grass mowed, plants pulled up, winter tools taken out of storage, a special bathroom window installed and more tasks completed.

“Viviane made us feel comfortable and we had many good laughs,” said Louise Lebrun. “She was right out there with us the whole time and even gave us some geraniums to take home.”

“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 first year that TD Banknorth 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 said.

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. Financial donations from individuals, businesses and civic groups are welcome and may be sent to SEARCH, 15 Westminster St., Lewiston, ME 04240.

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