The Richland County Youth and Family Council, through their Americorps grant, took part for the first time in the national Make a Difference Day.

Council executive director Teresa Alt says about 40 volunteers gathered at Head Start on Grace Street in Mansfield to help close to 30 elderly residents with their yard work.

Alt says ServeOhio, Ohio's Commission on Service and Volunteerism, provided them with a mini grant so they could help elderly residents with their yard work and do some clean up in the neighborhood.

Alt says the Youth and Family Council were participating in the effort as part of their National Day of Service.

Make a Difference Day is the nation's largest day of service with local volunteers helping more than three-million Americans.

Local businesses donated food items for the volunteers and the city of Mansfield pitched in bags and gloves to help aid in the clean-up.