‘Take the T out of can’t,? is Mike Watt’s motto. ‘Can? is the three-letter word the Lake Orion resident says will take you places.
Watts and his grandson, Matthew, a Lake Orion High School senior, volunteered nearly a month of their time renovating a house owned by the Baldwin Center.
The Baldwin Center is a human service agency whose mission is to clothe, feed, educate and empower Pontiac residents. The house will play host to neighborhood programming for adults, but it needed a new bathroom first.
‘It was a real dirty job,? said Watts. He and Matthew gutted the kitchen turned handicap bathroom together, a project that was initiated by Lake Orion United Methodist Men’s Group.
A sink upstairs drained directly into the ceiling, Watts said, noting, ‘now we know why we have a leak ? no pipes.?
The pair gutted everything in the kitchen, including the plaster ceiling and all the electrical work. And though the job was tough, Watts said it helped his grandson learn some valuable lessons and gave the two some time together.
‘It was an opportunity for both of us to give back to the community,? he said, adding, ‘It was an opportunity for Matthew to learn about construction. I think he actually enjoyed it.?
Watts said his other favorite three-letter word is ‘but.?
‘It means there are alternatives to getting to the end of the project.?
In working with his grandson, Watts was also able to offer up knowledge as a professional electrician.
‘I took time to go through theory [but] it was good for him to learn about the trade,? Watts said. ‘You went to school, you’ve taken math ? now here’s how you apply it.?
The Baldwin Center’s house is also getting TLC from other community members. Watt’s neighbor donated oak moulding that was installed last weekend. And a local eagle scout coordinated drywall and paint work.
It may have even made a lifelong volunteer out of Matthew.
‘He wanted to keep going back even after he got his hours in,? Watt’s said of Matthew’s graduation requirements.