Mary Lou Scott has hired the volunteers with Operation Leaf Relief to rake her lawn ever since the fundraiser started in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Scott, the widow of a veteran, supports the cause and wouldn't consider hiring anyone else.
"I jumped at the chance," she said. "I look forward to this, to the kids coming every year."
She shares the patriotism of her late husband, Peter Wilks Scott, who was a colonial in the U.S. Army and a veteran of three wars.
Chris Jarboe has coordinated Operation Leaf Relief since its inception in 2001. The proceeds go to supporting veterans and active service members. This year, the estimated $2,000 raised will be split for two causes: next year's Operation Bugle Boy, a veteran's appreciation night and a monument for the late Lorraine Adkins, a longtime veterans supporter.
"Lorraine's Monument" is set to be unveiled June 11, which would have been her 90th birthday, Jarboe said.
Scott's help has gone beyond supporting the fundraiser. One year, the Operation Leaf Relief helped to send care packages to soldiers overseas. She bought 150 Santa hats to put in the packages. In turn, the soldiers sent back a group photo of them wearing the hats.
In addition to paying for the service, Scott made bags of treats to pass out to the 11 volunteers, mostly area high school students.
Emily Yaeger, a Blair Oaks High School senior, got involved with Operation Leaf Relief last year. "We just want to give back to our community and everybody who supports Operation Bugle Boy. It's hard work, but it's very rewarding."
Thomas Nichols, a sophomore at Jefferson City High School, participated for the first time Sunday, saying it's also "a good way to get to know your community."