Aqua Reece, 11, a Mentone Elementary School fifth-grader, uses her rake as a shovel to move a pile of leaves.

MENTONE — Three fifth-grade classes from Mentone Elementary School braved cooler temperatures and intermittent drizzle Monday afternoon, Nov. 12 to help members of the Mentone community whose yards are obscured by a thick layer of recently fallen leaves.

At the most recent Mentone Town Board meeting, Water Superintendent Joshua Shepherd told the board that Mentone Principal Randy Dahms contacted him about the annual event.

“The principal contacted me to tell me they would be raking leaves with a bunch of kids,” said Shepherd. The event featured all three classes of fifth-graders from the school. “We came up with a list of at least 10 places that we thought of.”

Sarah Petersen, a parent volunteer, helped a group to clear a yard not far from the school.

“I think it’s amazing that they get the kids out to do something kind for others and teach them part of community service,” said Petersen. The group dug in to tackle the large quantity of leaves, but occasionally lost focus when it became clear they had created a leaf pile worthy of jumping into.

“They’re a good bunch, but they have to have a little fun while they’re out here,” she joked.