Volunteers assist with yard work at residence along Gladstone Boulevard. | Photo by Julia Williams

Julia Williams

Editor-in-Chief

One residence along Gladstone Boulevard bustled with activity on Friday afternoon, April 25 as The Whole Person Events and Marketing Coordinator Kianna Riffey gathered volunteers for its ninth annual yard clean-up day for people with disabilities across the Kansas City metro.

The Whole Person (3710 Main St.) —  a private, nonprofit Kansas City institution, which works to provide resources and assistance for people with disabilities, according to its website — was founded in 1978 by Paul H. Levy with a mission to empower those with disabilities. 

Its yard clean-up program or what is officially known as “Planting Independence,” began in 2016 — traditionally occurring around Earth Day each year — includes volunteers from The Whole Person, and its partnered organizations — which involved Numotion (a mobility equipment supplier) and Country Club Bank this year, among others — working to clean-up yards for people with disabilities who are clients of The Whole Person, and who have requested services. 

Of the 15 total houses — with over 100 volunteers assisting on Friday and Saturday — which were selected to participate in the yard clean-ups over Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26, was one Northeast residence along Gladstone Boulevard — the home of Darlene Victoria de Lyon, a local artist and The Whole Person client of 31 years.

De Lyon shared in an interview, Friday that she has lived in her home since 2009 and has disabilities, which impact her ability to care for her yard on her own. She said this was her second year participating in the yard clean-up program, and that she found out about “Planting Independence” through the organization’s newsletter. 

De Lyon prepared a map of her yard on Friday for volunteers to show which areas in her front and back yard she would like assistance with, including trimming of a Rose-of-Sharon, Japanese Maple branches, Spirea shrubs and Virginia Creeper, among others. 

“Yard clean-up makes it possible for someone like me to stay in their home,” de Lyon said in an interview, Friday. “It’s difficult to find affordable yard care that does a good job.”

As this yard clean-up is once a year — and volunteer based — the services are free and Riffey said with sponsorships from Westlake ACE Hardware and Synchronicity Bank, The Whole Person as well as accompanying organization participants,  all equipment including lawn mowers, rakes and bush trimmers is provided.

De Lyon said she would love to find a more regular volunteer to help her with her yard work, as several organizations who used to offer yard care assistance — including Bishop Sullivan Center and Don Bosco Senior Center — have discontinued those services. 

Riffey, who has worked with The Whole Person for one year, shared her favorite aspect of the yard clean-up event is the impact it has on the clients.

“Calling them and telling them we’re doing this and hearing the joy in their voice, it feels good to know we’re helping them,” Riffey said in an interview, Friday. “A lot of people can’t get out and about, to know their space is cleaned up and to have support from volunteers — I’m very thankful for all of them.”

For additional information on The Whole Person and the services its organization offers, visit: https://thewholeperson.org/.