Koneag and CANNA volunteer project hauls elder household debris; borough waives landfill fees

Koneag and CANNA representatives reported on a coordinated community service project on July 24 that helped elder households with yard work, gutter cleaning, hauling items to the Kodiak Island Borough Landfill and other chores. They presented the project’s outcomes to the assembly on Oct. 14.

Patricia Valero, Kodiak Island Borough interim project manager, and a Koneag presenter described outreach to elders, the types of services provided and the volunteer mobilization. The project signed up 20–21 elder households for in‑home or yard assistance and also prepared gift bags for village elders. Volunteers hauled appliances, oil drums and other items to the landfill; borough staff said the borough waived landfill fees for that effort.

Koneag noted the initiative brought volunteer teams from subsidiary companies and involved more than 60 volunteers in prior years’ projects. Presenters emphasized the project’s social value: volunteers hosted a bingo at Heritage Heights and helped elders feel included and safer in their homes. Assemblymember Dave thanked the volunteers and borough staff and described the landfill fee waiver as “a righteous use of a few taxpayer dollars.”

Assemblymember Ryan suggested coordinating the effort with assessing staff to help elders apply for property tax exemptions during future village visits; presenters said they had already taken blank exemption forms to villages as part of outreach. Borough staff said they could provide the number of pounds hauled to the landfill on request.

No formal assembly action was required; presenters thanked borough staff, the landfill and volunteers and encouraged continuation of such partnerships.