Members of University Sunrise Rotary, their families, and Boy Scout Troup 186 teamed up on Saturday, April 17 to completely clean and revamp the landscaping for two group homes in the Sandpoint neighborhood.

The University Sunrise Rotary has for many years participated in the city-wide Christmas in April program, helping remodel and clean homes for elderly or disadvantaged families. This year they decided to have a more personal connection with the people they assist. United Cerebral Palsy owns and manages a number of group homes, where individuals with disabilities can live in a home environment, with the assistance they need to live independent lives.

The two homes in the Sandpoint area, located next to Ronald McDonald House at 5020 40th Ave. NE, were in need of yard work.

On April 17, Rotarians and Boy Scouts converged with tools, trucks and enthusiasm to remove banks of overgrown blackberries, condition garden beds, clean gutters, prune trees and beautify the yard.

Eagle Scout Jake Millan organized the Boy Scout group, while Ken Malloch, chairman of the Rotary club's community service committee, led the group of Rotarians.

"One of our board members also serves on the United Cerebral Palsy Board, and we realized here was an opportunity to have a long-term relationship helping a group with an excellent program," said Malloch.