Pleasant Acre Day School volunteer Barry Maricelli sees himself as a person working behind the scenes, doing what needs doing — but Mary Ann Foggo-Eidt sees him as an angel.

&uot;There are so many people we couldn’t do without … but he’s been our guardian angel,&uot;&160;said Eidt, director of the school for mentally disabled students.

What did Maricelli do to earn that title?&160;Answer: a little bit of everything.

The International Paper technical worker, who has volunteered at the school for 10 years through the Elks Lodge, can be found doing such varied tasks as mowing the school’s lawn and taking cans to be recycled.

With his fellow Elks, Maricelli also does a variety of other outdoor tasks, from sprucing up flower beds to trimming leaves.

Maricelli does the majority of the outdoor work in the summer, spending about 10 to 12 hours a month volunteering at Pleasant Acre.

&uot;There have also been a few instances where large limbs fell, and either we hauled them off or got the county to do it,&uot;&160;Maricelli said.

Maricelli has been been known to collect various items for the school’s fund-raising sales, set up the school’s Christmas party and help take students swimming at the Elks Lodge’s pool.

For Maricelli, the most rewarding part of his volunteer work is interacting with students and knowing he has made a difference in their environment.

&uot;I enjoy going out and talking with them,&uot;&160;he said. &uot;They’re always really curious about what you’re doing.

&uot;Also, it gives you a good feeling that, while they are there trying to help themselves, you are there to do what they can’t do for themselves.&uot;

If you have a suggestion for an Everyday Hero, call Nita McCann at 446-5172, ext. 250, or e-mail her at nita.mccann@natchezdemocrat.com.