Volunteers come together to beautify Adrian’s east side – The Daily Telegram

Lonnie Huhman Daily Telegram Staff Writer @lenaweehuhman

ADRIAN Volunteers came together Friday to help beautify the east side of Adrian.

Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee Countys Rock the Block program and United Ways Day of Action teamed up again Friday to lend a hand to some renters, homeowners and families in need of a little help. From power washing the outside of the home to doing some landscaping work, around 80 volunteers came together along such streets as Frank and Church to give of their day.

I appreciate all that they do in this neighborhood, Frank Street resident Robert Allen said as a crew of volunteers worked across the street getting ready to power wash the rear of a home. I think it means a lot to the people they are helping because these are things they may not be able to do, either because of finances or energy.

The sites selected for the day of volunteer work were picked through an application process with Habitat for Humanity.

As part of United Ways effort, 21 young adults from six different cities in southeast Michigan participated in the Day of Action in Adrian. This group is part of Michigan Works! Southeasts Jobs for Michigan Graduates program.

Sandy Vallance, program services manager at Michigan Works! Southeast, said the group gains hands-on experience with tools and learn general maintenance skills while also tying the application of these skills to four different relatable employment areas.

She said through collaboration, they will cover the ability to work cooperatively with others, positive attitudes, work ethics and behaviors, ability to communicate and work with customers to satisfy expectations and explore opportunities for personal development.

The Day of Action aligns with our program goals, giving young adults the opportunity to participate in community service while networking with their peers and people from differing backgrounds, Vallance said. Through working with our youth, we know that this is an opportunity for them to work in a capacity that they may not have otherwise been able to participate in.

Rainesha Loftin of Ypsilanti was part of the group. She was born and lived in Adrian for the first three years of her life and then moved to Ypsilanti. She said she didnt know they would be visiting Adrian as part of the community service assignments, but she pleasantly was surprised when she heard they would.

It feels great to come back here and help out, she said.

While looking over a group of volunteers at work at a home on Frank Street, Lynne Punnett, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County, said this is what the day is about.

Weve done this for four or five years now and each time its made me proud of our community, she said. To see our residents come together with others from outside the community, its just a good thing.

She said its about helping people realize some of the aspirations they have for their homes.

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Volunteers come together to beautify Adrian's east side - The Daily Telegram