Community

Sprucing Up

Fall Fix Up volunteers

perform acts of kindness

for the homebound.

Clockwise from top right.•

Stephen Harris of
Bloomfield Township
cleans a window during.
Fall Fix Up.

Stephen Harris and his son,
Mark, 13, of Bloomfield
Township place winter
insulation on Pauline
Fein's windows.

Shoshana Rubenstein of
West Bloomfield clips some
hedges, while jenny
Baldwin and Laura
Shifrin, both of Southfielctti
rake leaves.

Pauline Fein thanks
volunteers Shoshana
Rubenstein of West
Bloomfielch jenny
Baldwin and Laura
Shifrin, both of Southfield.

NATHAN SHIOVITZ

Special to the Jewish News

KRISTA HUSA

Staffphotographer

T

he "snap, crackle, pop" was-
n't coming from the break-
fast bowl early Sunday .
morning.
The "snap" was the chilly weather
that greeted volunteers of all ages who
came to participate in Jewish Family
Service's sixth annual Fall Fix Up on
Nov. 3.
The "crackle" was the sound of
approximately 200 children and
adults, students and families collecting

11/15
2002

36

rakes, mops, buckets, window insula-
tion kits and assorted cleaning sup-
plies.
And the "pop" was the sheer energy
and unfettered enthusiasm displayed
by those who came ready to help.
Fall Fix Up serves homebound older
adults, the infirmed and disabled in
need of minor home repairs and out-
door cleanup. The event is Southfield-
based JFS's contribution to "Make a
Difference Day," a nationwide pro-
gram that motivates millions of volun-
teers to perform small acts of kindness
that make a great difference.
Sponsored by USA Today and Points
of Light Foundation, it is America's
largest day of volunteer service.

Now in its sixth year, Fall Fix Up
sent teams to more than 40 homes in
the community. A most zealous and
ardent group represented Farmington
Hills-based JARC (which aids adults
with developmental disabilities) under
the leadership of Shoshana
Rubenstein. The contingent, all clients
of JARC's Shetzer Independent Living
Program, were first-time participants
in the field, after many years of work-
ing behind the scenes.
For some recipients, it was difficult
to accept services from volunteers —
but youthful exuberance seemed to
ease many minds.
Such was the case for one older
woman waiting for her team to arrive.

While she had expected teenagers or
adults, she froze as she watched a
group of young boys come up her
walk with their teacher. They had
bright smiles, and soon laughter and
songs filled her yard as they raked
away her leaves, removed her trash and
washed her windows.
It didn't take her long to invite them
inside for a snack. It was really a thinly
veiled excuse for her to thank them
and give each a hug.
The common denominator between
the clients and volunteers was that
they discovered they hardly had to lift
a finger to touch a heart. Experience
taught them that every small act of
kindness brings a great reward.

❑