Join your neighbors and the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) this fall for
Rake For ALS!
National Day of Raking
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Join us for National Day of Raking as we invite families, schools, sports teams, and neighborhoods across the country to come together in support of ALS research.
Whether you’re raking one yard or an entire neighborhood, every effort makes a difference. Gather your friends, grab your rakes, and help us turn falling leaves into hope.
Small Hands. Big Hearts. One Mission. End ALS.
What started with two kids, a few rakes, and a whole lot of love has grown into a movement bringing communities together to fight ALS.
Founded in 2022 by siblings Brady and Brooklyn Yozwiak in honor of their dad, Chris, Clayton Rakes has turned a simple act of kindness into something extraordinary.
Now celebrating its fifth year in 2026, Clayton Rakes brings families, neighbors, sports teams, and volunteers together each fall to rake leaves, raise awareness, and fund critical research at the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS-TDI).
Because even the smallest hands can make a difference.
The Impact
Since 2022, Clayton Rakes has:
Raised almost 400k in support of ALS research.
Brought together families, neighbors, sports teams, and volunteers.
Inspired young people to discover the power of giving back.
Continued Chris Yozwiak’s legacy through five years of community service and fundraising.
100% of donations made through the campaign go directly toward supporting ALS research at ALS-TDI.
“I wanted to find a cure for my dad so he could get better, I love him.” – Brady.
Our Story
When Chris Yozwiak was diagnosed with ALS in 2020, his children, Brady and Brooklyn, wanted to do something to help.
Chris loved being outside, working in the yard, and spending time with his family. So the kids came up with a simple idea: What if they could rake leaves for neighbors and ask for donations to help find a cure for ALS?
And just like that, Clayton Rakes was born.
What began as a neighborhood project quickly grew into something much bigger. Friends showed up. Teams joined in. Entire communities rallied around the cause.
Chris passed away in January 2024, but his legacy continues through his children and the incredible community that surrounds them.
Five years later, Clayton Rakes is about so much more than raking leaves. It’s about teaching kids the power of giving back, bringing people together, and showing families facing ALS that they are not alone.