In July, 17 interns from Vision Service Plan’s (VSP) Business Program volunteered their time to help a Rancho Cordova resident in need. Andrew McBride, a homeowner in the Cordova Meadows neighborhood, desperately needed help cleaning out his front and back yards. The 83-year old veteran, who is legally blind, had years of trash piled up in his backyard, and the interns filled up a dumpster with the debris.

“It was very rewarding to help Mr. McBride for the few hours we had. I only wish we could have given him more, because our few short hours don’t even begin to compare to the many hours he spent serving our country. I really enjoyed helping out,” said Gino Olson, one of VSP’s interns.

McBride retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1973, and since then has been volunteering at the California State Railroad Museum and working as an umpire for local high school baseball teams.

“I really can’t find enough good words to tell you how appreciative I really am,” said McBride to the volunteers. “I’ve been a volunteer all my life, but I’ve never been on the receiving end of something like this. I let this mess get way ahead of me.”

The interns also cleaned the Cordova Meadows Elementary school grounds and the adjacent Taylor Park. The City of Rancho Cordova teamed up with VSP to provide equipment needed for the morning of community service.