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	The Manchester Enterprise A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Volunteers lend time, talent to rebuild homes

By Alexandra Sondeen, Special Writer

PUBLISHED: May 1, 2008

Nearly 50 volunteers came together Saturday to repair 18 area homes during the Manchester Community Resource Center's Rebuilding Together community outreach event.

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Volunteers painted, completed yard work and replaced doors and deck boards among other tasks.

Kathy Donnellon, event chairwoman, said while most of the work was completed over the weekend, some sidewalk and deck work would be ongoing.

This year's event stood out from previous years due to the number of homes seeking assistance as well as the increased need for skilled labor. Donnellon said CRC coordinators sought out plumbers, electricians and carpenters to donate their time.

"They came through for us with flying colors," Donnellon said.

Tim Arnett, one of the homeowners in this year's program, has been in the community for almost 47 years. He received help replacing doors and a few deck boards from M.Y. Complete Carpentry.

"They're doing a great job," Arnett said. "It's nice to see that there's help available."

Volunteers said the program was great, especially for a small community like Manchester.

"It's incredible," Sandy Livesay, a first-time volunteer said. "Nobody realizes the kind of in-depth help it gives to people."

Pat Nemacheck, also volunteering for the first time, said, she was glad she was able to provide the help and support.

Resident Todd Ducsay said this was his eighth year volunteering with the program.

"It's an excellent opportunity to practice a random act of kindness for a stranger," he said. "It takes just a few hours of your time but the impact on the person is significant."

Kate McCarthy, a resident of Santa Fe, N.M., was in town to see her granddaughter perform in the Manchester High School musical "Grease." She said she joined the CRC effort with her daughter, Liz McCarthy, while she was in the area. She said that she would consider participating again if she was in town.

"It's a lot of work," said Tom Dayss, another first-time volunteer. "It's a wonderful opportunity to do something for my community."

Rebuilding Together is a national outreach program. Formerly known as Christmas in April, the program is an annual one-day event that repairs the homes of elderly, handicapped and low-income residents. Tasks can include painting, yard work, electrical and plumbing repair and building wheelchair ramps.

"We work with people who couldn't do what we do," Donnellon said.

Donnellon said the CRC greatly assisted this year's program with finding and organizing volunteers.

"They worked hard and long," she said. "They were very compassionate with the homeowners."

Donnellon said she was especially grateful for the volunteers that participated this year.

"I'm really grateful to the community for pulling together and doing this," she said. "People just came through and did a wonderful job."

Alexandra Sondeen is a college intern with The Manchester Enterprise. She can be reached at asondeen@emich.edu.