Brandon Twp -In a weekend blitz more than 60 volunteers helped to revitalize the homes of more than 12 Brandon families.
As part of a National Volunteer Week movement, dedicated to preventing homelessness and rebuilding communities, local ‘Christmas in April? volunteers ? from all walks of life? worked side by side to rehabilitate the homes of low income residents, particularly those who are elderly and disabled. Funding for the project comes from donations.
During the nation’s 16th annual rebuild event, local volunteers helped more than a dozen Brandon families by assisting in repairs ranging from winter ravaged yards, to roof replacment of an elderly couple home that had been temporarily tarped since early November 2003.
Working in conjunction with Rob Chambers of the main ‘Christmas in April? group from Highland and Milford, Township Clerk Jeannie McCreery located the families in need of assistance teaming up more than 50 local teens who worked all day on Saturday, April 24, with 10 adult house captains who oversaw the work to the finish.
‘We’ll do just about anything,? said Chambers, event organizer.
‘As long as it can be done in a day.?
On April 24, the full day was dedicated by local students and young members from St. Anne Catholic Church in Ortonville. The young volunteers and the house captains dedicated the day to trimming shrubs, raking leaves, and gathering branches from the yards of 12 homes throughout the township.
Two teams of skilled and non-skilled volunteers dedicated attention to the health and welfare of one lifelong Ortonville family, to replace a roof while another crew spent the day repainting and organizing the home of an elderly woman recently injured.
McCreery said the day was a huge success and is already structuring the organization of volunteers for next year’s homes.
‘The day turned out very well,? McCreery said.
‘Everybody who worked were very dedicated.?
‘This is the one day out of the year that I can feel very good about what I do.?