LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Nov. 4, Scotts Valley and Blue Heron 4-H joined forces to undertake a community service times two.

The leadership team created a plan to rake yards and undertake a food drive.

Notices were distributed to 60 houses in the North Forbes/Clearlake Avenue neighborhood a week before asking homeowners if they wished to participate and donate canned goods.

In the dark of the evening, 12 members from the two clubs quietly raked and bagged leaves in the designated yards.

The trick was to do the job silently without being discovered.

By evening's end, 30 bags of leaves were gathered and 15 bags of groceries were collected for local food pantries.

Afterward, the work crew enjoyed the warmth of a fire pit, hot cocoa and cookies.

4-H Youth Development is a program of the University of California Cooperative Extension.

For more information on the 4-H program contact U.C. Cooperative Extension, 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport, CA 95453, telephone 707-263-6838.

Peggy Alexander is community club leader for the Blue Heron 4-H.