The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Christmas in Action looking for spring projects
Group helps disabled, elderly and needy homeowners
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: March 13, 2008
Install handicapped bath rails. Check.
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Repair the leaky roof. Check.
Replace water-damaged basement walls. Check.
The to-do list for volunteers with Christmas in Action who annually help renovate the homes of residents unable to make the repairs themselves grows longer this month as referral forms come due by March 22 in Saline and April 4 in Milan.
The nonprofit agency was launched in Texas in 1972 to help preserve and revitalize houses and communities, ensuring that low-income, elderly and disabled homeowners live in warmth, safety and independence.
The late David Potter of Saline was the founder and first president of the first Michigan chapter of Christmas in Action. Under his leadership, the Washtenaw and Monroe County chapter has helped needy families as well as elderly and handicapped residents with interior and exterior home repairs and renovations since 1991. Potter died last year and work done this year will undoubtedly be dedicated in his memory, said Kathy Kind, secretary of Christmas in Action.
In an interview last year with The Saline Reporter and Milan News-Leader, Potter recalled how the effort grew.
"Back in 1991, Paul Tull, the past owner of The Reporter, and I were invited to a luncheon to hear about a program that would help out the elderly, handicapped and people with low income," Potter said. "After we left there, I said, 'Paul, that's something we can do for the people in Saline and Milan, don't you think?' He said 'yes' and that's when it started."
Since then, more than 70 homes and properties in the area have benefitted.
Last April in Milan, volunteers remodeled a bathroom to accommodate a homeowner who depended on a wheelchair.
"It was an amazing project for us all," said Pam Palmieri, Milan's director and Christmas in Action board member.
"This year, we're hoping ton continue the energy and enthusiasm, helping homeowners build pride in their community."
Murrey and Mary Ellen Sanders of Saline were also helped by the program. Murrey, 89, is a World War II veteran and a blood cancer patient, while Mary Ellen, 87, spends most of her days caring for her sickly husband. The only source of income for the Sanders is Murrey's small pension from his paper mill job, their Social Security benefits and the money they earn from selling their homegrown pumpkins in the fall.
Volunteers replaced the stove, kitchen and bathroom floors, and because of the Sanders' inability to easily get in and out of the bathtub, they put a shower in place of the tub.
"The Christmas in Action people really helped us out because we needed to get some of these repairs done, but we only get Social Security money and $146 a month from my pension. We just couldn't do it if it weren't for people like David Potter and the Christmas in Action people," said Mary Ellen Sanders.
Neighbors and family members are encouraged to submit a referral form for properties in an around Milan and Saline, where low-income, elderly and physically-challenged homeowners live who cannot perform the repairs themselves and have no able-bodied family members to do the work.
Recipients are asked to welcome volunteers into their homes and share in the neighbor-helping-neighbor program.
Forms for referrals and volunteers are available online at www.christmasinactionsaline.com or at The Saline Reporter/Milan News-Leader office, Milan City Hall, Aid in Milan, Saline City Hall, Saline Area Chamber of Commerce and Saline Area Social Services.
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