COEUR d'ALENE - Sarah Kastning is 18 years old, a young North Idaho College student from Rathdrum.

Unlike most college kids her age, Sarah woke up early on Saturday morning, even though the weather was soggy and cold. Along with her dad, Tim, she joined almost 70 volunteers who had assembled at Heart of the City Church for "Make a Difference Day."

ElderHelp of North Idaho needed workers, and Sarah had answered the call.

"I've lived here my entire life, and I know so many (elderly) people, and a lot of them are like my grandparents," she said. "It's just great knowing that we're making their day."

Sarah and Tim worked outside Saturday, braving the drizzle and the chill, helping local seniors care for their property. Throughout the Coeur d'Alene area, teams of volunteers performed yard work, winterized homes and delivered firewood. ElderHelp organized the effort, and by the end of the day 55 seniors had been served.

"Today is all about going out and helping our seniors," Tim Kastning said. "You really can't give enough back to the community."

The tasks varied - some volunteers raked leaves; others repaired houses or split logs. Nineteen cords of firewood were delivered to 16 homes in Kootenai County, event coordinator Ruth Kirk reported. Avista Utilities donated winterization materials, and many volunteers helped cold-proof mobile homes and trailers.

"The most important is the weatherization," Kirk said. "We have a lot of people in need. It helps the environment, but most importantly it helps the seniors cut the expenses for heating bills in the winter."

In Post Falls, workers sealed Christine Francis' patio door, making her home much warmer. But it wasn't the first time ElderHelp volunteers had paid her a visit.

"They've been out before, and they cleaned up all my flower beds, and did some raking and that," said Francis, 92. "They are a real good help. Don't know what I'd do without them. So far they've all been real nice. They were very polite."

Grace Tree Service in Hayden, a company owned by Tim Kastning, was base camp for the firewood crew. Using motorized splitters and filling pickup trucks, volunteers ran an efficient operation.

Julie Mattson of Coeur d'Alene first learned about ElderHelp a year ago. She volunteered Saturday and helped split wood.

"I think it's a great organization," Mattson said. (Volunteering) is something anyone can do on their own time."

The rain was tolerable, she said - after you got used to it.

"It's one of those days you kind of want to hunker down at home, but once you get started it's not so bad."

Supported by the Newman's Own Foundation, Make a Difference Day is a nationwide event. Every year, the foundation donates $10,000 to organizations committed to helping others. ElderHelp has a chance to receive that money, Kirk said - close to 70 people turned out on a rainy fall day, indicating just how committed the volunteers are.

More help is always needed, though. Kirk said ElderHelp is looking for handymen and women in particular - plumbers, electricians, carpenters and the like.

"We have about 700 volunteers, and we serve about 400 seniors," said ElderHelp president John Corcoran. "We've been doing it for five years, since 2005. What we really do is give seniors hope."

Prospective volunteers, or seniors in need of aid, should call ElderHelp of North Idaho at 661-8870.