Brandon Twp.- The rebuilding will continue, but volunteers are needed.
At the May 1 township board meeting, Rebuilding Together volunteer Chris Covetz expressed doubt about the non-profit organization’s ability to continue making home repairs for low-income senior citizens and disabled persons in the Ortonville area due to a lack of leadership, volunteers and donations from businesses.
However, Gene Brinker, president of the Oakland County chapter of Rebuilding Together, says the program will keep going.
‘We still have good captains in this area and good volunteers and we are still going to work out there,? he said. ‘We need people to help us, but we are definitely planning on being out there next year… We still kick butt and we’ve managed to help a lot of people.?
On April 29, about 150 volunteers landscaped 33 yards and worked on three homes in the township, replacing a roof on one home, installing several energy-efficient windows on another and making several repairs to the home of Harold and Phyllis Dean.
Workers redid the Deans? laundry room, replacing cupboards and installing a louvre door. They replaced drywall, put trim on the house, painted the garage, and planted many flowers that Phyllis Dean called, ‘very pretty.?
‘I am thankful for what they did,? she said. ‘I appreciate it. They need to get a more organized group, but they did the best they could. It’s a good idea to have someone help if you can’t afford to do it yourself.?
Brinker says an organizer is needed from the township or village to sit on the Rebuilding Together board or spearhead work in the community. Resident Karen Adcock organized volunteers and sponsors in the Ortonville area for many years, he says, but stepped down for health reasons.
Board members meet once a month throughout the year and organize committees to seek donations from businesses and churches in the area for the annual one-day work blitz in April, in which building supplies and food for volunteers is needed.
‘Homeowners think we’re helping them and actually we’re helping ourselves more than we help them, in self-satisfaction and renewing our own personal spirit,? Brinker said.
For more information on volunteering for Rebuilding Together, call (248) 889-5450.