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Helen Arnold students raise funds for society
By Jewell Cardwell
Beacon Journal columnist
Published on Saturday, Apr 12, 2008
Almost like magic, 15 homeowners' properties will be on the receiving end of some major, tender loving care when volunteers with Rebuilding Together Summit show up with power tools, paint and more.
Those free blessings will rain down on selected homes across Summit County, courtesy of an application process, on Saturday, April 26.
Rebuilding Together Summit County, in its 13th year, has as its noble goal keeping low-income elderly and disabled homeowners safe, warm and dry.
Paul Holm, the local Rebuilding Together's executive director, is excited about the dramatic changes planned for the homes and the homeowners.
Leo and Doris Mann of Akron, who were ripped off to the tune of $12,000 by a contractor charged with repairing their house after hail-storm damage, will be helped.
''The contractor asked for the money up front,'' Holm said. ''He did half the work and they haven't seen him in five months. . . . I've left messages and he hasn't returned my calls, either.''
According to Holm, Lowe's is taking on the Manns' home, redoing their bathrooms, repairing a ramp and putting in new flooring throughout the house so Leo Mann can get around better in his wheelchair.
Douglas Hricko of New Franklin — whose work is being handled by Home Depot, national RT sponsor — will get new flooring, interior and exterior paint, widened doorways, a new door and remote control deadlock and landscaping.
''Everybody goes through hard times,'' Holm said. ''This is our way of giving back.''
He said when he told one of the homeowners she was targeted for help, ''she couldn't hold in and began to cry when she heard what we planned to do at her house.''
The major sponsors of this effort are the city of Akron, Summit County, and the GAR Foundation.
Interested in helping or donating to the cause? Please call 330-773-4100.
Sears workers help
Sears Holdings Corp., which includes Sears and Kmart, is yet another component of this year's Rebuilding (Together Summit County) Day.
Volunteers from the local stores will be repairing the home of an 82-year-old World War II veteran that day.
The help coming to William Gribble's Copley Township home is part of the first round of aid from Heroes at Home, a partnership between Rebuilding Together and Sears Holdings whose mission is to improve the lives of military families in need across America by making home repairs.
Holm said more than 15 volunteers are poised to descend on Gribble's home, repairing damage from leaky plumbing, weatherizing and updating the electrical system, replacing the door front, and modifying his bathroom to make it more accessible.
''Mr. Gribble is a highly decorated soldier who served his country admirably during the most desperate times,'' Holm said. ''As a tail gunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress, he flew
20 missions across Eastern Europe. . . . We are so glad to partner with Sears and Kmart to give something back to him after all he has done for us.
''As our seniors age, it becomes increasingly difficult for many to move about their home in the manner that most of us take for granted. We hope that our work allows Mr. Gribble to remain safe, warm and independent in his home for years to come.''
Mother says thanks
Even with the mountain of pain she's facing, Mary Baxter of Springfield Township remembers to say thanks.
Her husband Raymond Baxter was recently diagnosed with terminal kidney cancer and this week underwent additional surgery.
The couple's son, Michael Forester, a Springfield High School honor student who was hospitalized in critical condition for several weeks last fall with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is now battling polyarteritis nodosa, a rare autoimmune disease that affects the muscles, joints, intestines, skin, nerves and kidneys and is treated monthly with chemotherapy.
Mary gave heartfelt thanks to the community at large, which sponsored a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to help the family with bills.
Mary, who was helping with her husband's business, had to stop work to take care of her son and now her husband. A Baxter Family Fund has been set up at FirstMerit Bank (any branch).
Kudos to Arnold students
My abiding praise for the ongoing generosity and good works of the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Hilary Catholic Church in helping neighbors in need in the Greater Akron community.
Over and above providing food, furniture and financial support to those in need, the St. Vincent DePaul Society also supplies schools with computers.
Here's the latest in that outreach:
''This year we were able to deliver 141 computers to the students at (Akron Public Schools') Helen Arnold elementary school. Principal LaMonica Davis and her students were excited to have the PCs,'' writes a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society. ''As a matter of fact, these kids were so grateful that they are raising money to give to St. Vincent DePaul so we can buy more computers for other kids.
''My heart is deeply touched by the thoughtfulness of these children. In one of Akron's poorest neighborhoods, kids are giving back so others can benefit. The winning class gets an ice cream party from Ms. Davis and one class has already collected $70.
''Jewell, think of how many times we receive something, say thank you and go on about our business. We all do it! However, the students at Helen Arnold did not stop there. These kids want to help other kids enjoy technology. This unselfish thoughtfulness should not go unnoticed, since they are learning a valuable lifetime lesson.''
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.
Almost like magic, 15 homeowners' properties will be on the receiving end of some major, tender loving care when volunteers with Rebuilding Together Summit show up with power tools, paint and more.
Get the full article here.
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