“It gives me hope that the younger generation is learning how to just be kind. You don’t find that much anymore.”

That’s what Oxford Township resident Denise Body had to say about the Oxford Gives Back (OGB) program as she watched a hard-working crew of kindhearted volunteers clean up her yard Saturday morning.

“It’s unbelievable. I am so appreciative,” she said.

Body’s Ludwig Rd. home was one of approximately 115 that received free yardwork April 29-30 as part of OGB, a program founded last year by Jacinta Hogan, a student in Oxford Schools Early College Program. Most of the homes were located in Oxford, but there were properties in neighboring Orion, Addison, Brandon and Clarkston.

Raking, mulching, weeding, trimming, clearing debris, bagging and burning yard waste, preparing gardens, planting flowers and other outdoor chores were generously performed by an army of approximately 780 volunteers. This army of helping hands included Oxford students (ranging from elementary to high school), school district employees, young athletes, scouts, churchgoers, families and community members.

“I think it was phenomenal,” Hogan said. “The bigger scope meant we could help more people and we got to have more people involved (as volunteers).”

The work was done for senior citizens, the disabled, folks with major health issues, single-parent homeowners – basically, anyone who needed yardwork done, but was unable to do it themselves and could not afford to hire help.

“I think the most gratifying part was seeing the community in motion,” Hogan said. “At some of the homes, you literally felt the sense of community as Oxford people worked together. Different sports teams united. Lots of families volunteered their weekend . . . This was really a community effort. It was really cool to see and feel that.”

Hogan noted some of the homeowners broke down and cried because they were “so grateful” and overwhelmed by this gesture.

“It’s just so humbling,” she said.

Body and her Vietnam veteran husband, David, can no longer maintain their property because she has Multiple Sclerosis and he became paralyzed from the waist down about three years ago.

She couldn’t believe how much the volunteers accomplished as they spent the morning raking, bagging and burning yard waste.

“I didn’t expect all this,” Body said. “It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for years.”

She’s very grateful to OGB.

“I just want to really thank them. I keep thinking what can I do for them,” Body said.

Body noted it’s volunteer-driven, community-based programs like this that will allow her and her husband to continue enjoying their home for years to come. They’ve lived there for 32 years.

“We want to stay here. We want to die here,” she said.

There was definitely no shortage of compliments and gratitude regarding OGB.

“I think this is the greatest thing that’s ever happened,” said Oxford Township resident Jerry Thibodeau, who’s lived on Ludwig Rd. for 44 years.

The volunteers tilled and weeded his vegetable garden in preparation for planting.

“You get a little older, you get a little incapacitated, you can’t do everything anymore,” Thibodeau said. “It’s too hard on the body. I can do the planting and the harvesting, and that’s about it.”

With his garden area ready to go, he’ll be able to grow his favorites, which include cabbages, cauliflower, tomatoes, cucumbers, acorn squash and peppers.

“I enjoy gardening very much,” Thibodeau said. “I love the fresh food. I’m an organic gardener. I use no fertilizers and no bug-killers.”

He’s so grateful to OGB for giving him the helping hand he needed to continue pursuing his passion.

“I just want to thank them so much for what they’re doing,” he said. “I love them.”

Joyce O’Donnell, who’s lived in the Oxford/Addison area since 1973 with her husband Terry, couldn’t believe how quickly the OGB volunteers got things done outside their Ludwig Rd. home.

“I’m just stunned,” she said. “You get older and you don’t move so fast. They come here and they’re like a tornado. I’m in awe. It’s amazing.”

Terry, 84, agreed.

“It would take me forever to do all this work,” he said. “They did a fantastic job. Thanks a million.”

For Catherine Dine, who’s lived in Oxford Village on Park St. for more than 30 years, this was her second time receiving assistance from OGB, but she’s no less appreciative.

“I think these boys and girls are doing a fabulous job,” she said. “You are a wonderful bunch of kids and I wish the whole world followed your example.”

Dine believes this program is particularly beneficial for older citizens like herself because there’s always yardwork to be done and “most seniors can’t afford to pay people” to do it.

“Thirty-four years ago, I was strong enough to do this stuff myself, but not anymore,” she said. “I appreciate the help. I think it is a wonderful program. I wish I could participate.”

“The kids seem to be having fun, which is amazing. You get to be my age, it isn’t fun, it’s a lot of work,” Dine noted.

Oxford Twp. resident George Schraut, who’s lived on Davis Lake Dr. since 1978, believes OGB is a “wonderful service” because “it does (the yardwork) that I can no longer do,” work that quickly “piles up.”

“I can’t bend over to do that kind of work anymore,” said Schraut, citing a combination of age and injuries “dating back to college football” as the reason.

He was quite pleased with the job the volunteers did. “It looks great,” he said. “I wish it could stay that way year-round.”

In addition to helping those who need it, Schraut loves the fact the program teaches young people responsibility.

“They make a commitment to do something and whether or not the weather cooperates, they’re still here,” he said.

He’s particularly proud of Hogan for founding and running this program.

“I’ve known Jacinta for three years now. She’s one of my throwers,” said Schraut, who has coached shot put and discus for the OHS track and field team since 1980.

“She’s a dedicated kid. I don’t know who’s going to do it next year when she goes off to (college) . . . I hope the program continues.”

“I’m going to be involved next year, but we’re going to have a planning committee and what we’d like to do is have (it consist of) representatives from each of the schools, both an adult and a student,” explained Hogan, who will be graduating in June and starting college in Naples, Florida this fall.

It was the second OGB visit for Oxford Village residents Bill and Shirley Conner.

“I think it’s real nice of these kids to do this,” said Bill, who will turn 90 on May 30. “It makes you feel good to know that there’s children out there that will help you when you need it.”

“I think it’s wonderful,” said Shirley, who turned 90 on Good Friday. “It helps us so much and it means so much to us. I can’t say enough good things about it.”

Married for 67 years, the Conners have lived on N. Glaspie St. since 1969 and have no intention of ever leaving their historic home built in 1873. They believe programs like OGB will help them be able to stay put.

“We love this house and we’re going to live here as long as we can,” Shirley said.

It wasn’t just the recipients of all the free labor who were grateful following the second annual OGB.

“I just want to give a huge thank-you to everyone who came out,” Hogan said. “Our sponsors, in particular, donated a lot, and they even sent volunteers out (to work at homes), which was awesome . . . The community cares about this and we look forward to expanding (the program) and involving more and more people.”