Dear Editor,
April 26 was our annual Rebuilding Together Senior Yard Clean-Up Project. Each year I gush about the amazing kids who volunteered to spend their day raking, weeding, washing windows, scraping paint, trimming low-hanging tree branches and just about anything else that needed done. This year there was even more to rave about: more volunteers, more yards and more donations.
Last year we had nearly 100 volunteers and 23 yards. This year we had 123 volunteers and 40 yards. One yard took 45 leaf bags to hold the debris. In another yard, the kids trimmed low branches on more than10 pine trees that hadn’t been trimmed in a decade. Then this group took on two extra jobs to help another group.
I received more positive comments from the homeowners this year than any previous year. They commented about how hard the volunteers worked and how polite and courteous they were. I noticed many of those comments came from people who gave out homemade cookies and brownies. There may be additional motivation there.
There are so many people to thank. The volunteer groups: Kim Zernec, Youth Leader, St. Anne Youth Group, Ken Shepard, Scout Leader, Boy Scout Troup 139, Becky Andrus, Scout Leader, Girl Scout Troop 1732, David & Joann King, Frosty Boy Staff, Brandon High School Student Council, Brandon High School National Honor Society, Mary Stayton and the Choices Group from Sherman Lifelong Learning Center, the extra volunteers who showed up and joined with other groups.
I’d like to thank the lunch workers: Karen McArthur and Deputy Clerk Susan Nassar & Gary, Candee Allen, Bonnie & Tyrone Beltramo, Fire Chief Bob McArthur who roasts a mean hot dog, Groveland Twp. Trustee Diane Howell & husband Chuck, Jody Hall, and the Brandon Twp. Planning Commission.
Also, the donations made by the following : Jo Ann & David King, Frosty Boy, David and Jill Adair, MacPhee’s Restaurant, A & W Drive In, Bueche Food World, Tom’s Market, Tractor Supply Company, Ortonville Women’s Club, Bonnie & Tyrone Beltramo, Gary & Susan Nassar, Karen & Bob McArthur, Katie Hobson, Joyce Atkin, Don & Margaret Kengerski, Dan & Kim Zernec & St. Anne Youth Group, Nat Duman, Michael Maichele & Family, Dr. Ronald Lane and Diane Lane, Wayne Wills, Mary Billow, Arlyn Wise & Family, Brandon Twp. Farm & Garden Club, Brandon Twp. Trustee Sandy Willett & Gary Willett.
Finally, I’d like to thank the services provided by Jeremy Chesnutt of Chesnutt Outdoor Services, for donating his entire day to picking up and disposing of all yard debris at each location, Metropolitan Tree Service for picking up and disposing of the pine branches, Mary Dorda for soliciting donations, The Citizen newspaper for the great exposure, and Ortonville Village DPW.
Also, a huge thank you to Rebuilding Together for allowing me to partner with them, for providing shirts for all of the volunteers and for contributing to the lunch fund.
B. Jean McCreery