Eighty-two-year-old Dorothy Brandt has good eyes, an active mind and a surgically repaired heart.
Now she has a really clean house, too.
Brandt was among 296 seniors helped Thursday during United Way of Cass-Clay's 12th annual Day of Caring.
More than 1,000 volunteers from 63 businesses helped clean seniors' homes throughout the two counties, said Lisa Metzger, a United Way spokeswoman.
This was the third year United Way volunteers helped clean Brandt's north Fargo home. But the assistance was particularly useful this year because Brandt doesn't move around as well after heart bypass surgery this spring.
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Friends and relatives have helped with the house since the surgery, but inevitably some cleaning doesn't get done.
At least not until Thursday, when a team of three Gate City Bank employees arrived at her home.
Tom Jabens, Patti Helm and Christine Southam grabbed cleaning supplies and set to work.
"My goodness. I won't recognize my own kitchen," Brandt said as she watched Helm and Southam clean hard-to-reach places on the stove and cabinets.
"That's why we're here," Helm answered.
This was the third year that Helm, who works in Gate City's loan department, participated in United Way's Day of Caring.
"It's a way of giving back to the community," she said.
The bank is very good about allowing employees to take time off to participate, she said.
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As Helm and Southam worked in the kitchen, Jabens sprayed the outside of the living room window with a garden hose.
"Oh, that's good," Brandt said. "I spent a lot of time looking out there."
She also reads a great deal.
"My eyes are still good, so I read. It helps keeps my mind active," she said.
She smiled as those still-good eyes watched the progress of her three United Way volunteers.
"All I can say is that I really appreciate this," Brandt said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jonathan Knutson at (701) 241-5530
