Lubrizol Painesville Works on Multiple Sites The Painesville Lubrizol plant was given a different challenge this year. Instead of having one very large project affecting one family, the decision was made to do multiple projects affecting three families. All three families lived in different neighborhoods, requiring the recruitment of house captains at each of the sites. All three of the house captains have been involved with our group in the past and were eager to take the lead - two actually came out of retirements to help out for the fourth year.
by Mike Maruschak, Vice President, House Captain
Our first site, captained by Mark Mullins, is located in Painesville City at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kucsma. Both of the homeowners are confined to wheelchairs and had multiple health problems. The garage needed scraping and painting as well as some shingle and siding repair. The handicap ramp was cleaned and resealed.
Our second site was four miles north to Fairport Harbor at the home of Mrs. Albert Manley. Mrs. Manley is also confined to a wheelchair due to kidney failure. Due to the condition of the rafters, this site required some structural work on the roof before the work day. The house was re-roofed, the front porch and steps were rebuilt as well as the wheelchair ramp. Tom Zmecek, our resident roof expert, took charge of this site. He also secured a place to have our cookout afterwards.
Our third site was located 5 miles east in Painesville Township at the house of Mrs. Freda Palo. Mrs. Palo has a number of health problems associated with the loss of her husband. The house was powerwashed before the entire house was painted a light blue with white trim. Ron Digman came out of retirement to head this group of volunteers.
Another Lubrizol employee and his family represented Painesville at a fourth site. This was Clyde Grinstead, a first year volunteer, along with his father and brother. Along with a group captained by Joe Sweeney, they helped construct a very elaborate handicap ramp able to handle a medivac gurney. The lady at this house is a quadripalegic.
The work day was just beautiful. The sky was clear and the air was a little cool. The group showed up at 7:15 a.m. and was eager to get started. Their eagerness certainly showed -- for by 1:00 p.m. all sites were completed and cleaned up. Everyone then headed back into Fairport Harbor to the VFW picnic grounds for one of Ed Raines' famous sausage sandwiches. I would like to mention Ed had also recently retired and asked to come back to help.
Another successful and gratifying year!
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