Claypool Good Neighbor Projects Earn Group National Recognition
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
CLAYPOOL - People often quote Leviticus 19:18, "... you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
How many people actually take that verse to heart?
A group of Claypool residents have decided to do just that with the Good Neighbor Fund.
Their project is among others nationwide listed and honored in this weekend's edition of USA Weekend as part of the 13th Annual Make A Difference Day. The Day is the nation's largest day of community service and is sponsored by USA Weekend in partnership with the nonpartisan Points of Light Foundation.
"The goal is to love thy neighbor as thyself," said Paul Berkey, Claypool, of the Good Neighbor Fund. The program started last summer. The fund helps pay for materials that volunteers use to help those who may not be able to help themselves or to assist someone who could use an extra hand.
The Good Neighbor group takes applications for projects to do for neighbors in the town of Claypool. Where the volunteers can't do the work themselves or buy the materials with the fund, they solicit help from area companies. Past companies that have helped include Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Creative Gardens, Anderson Greenhouse, Heiman Construction, Elkhart County Gravel, Claypool Lions Club, Claypool United Methodist Church and Claypool UMC Women.
"We've helped four (families)," said Berkey. "This is a growing thing, we're learning from experience."
At the Ryan home, the Good Neighbors helped clean up the property, landscaped, cleaned out brush and removed trees.
"It made a huge difference to that house," said Berkey.
At the Lindley home, the sidewalk was improved. Berkey said they want to redo one sidewalk in town per year because there is a need and neither the town nor the homeowners can afford to do them.
Heat ducts were installed at the Marino home for the children's room. The family was using portable electrical heaters.
The Rev. Jason Gross of Claypool UMC, who nominated the Good Neighbors Fund for the USA Weekend award, said by helping the Marino family - who then helped at the Ryan home - "they've become a part of our church family."
Berkey said the Good Neighbor Fund is a community organization though, not necessarily a church organization.
The Good Neighbor program isn't about helping any class of people, but helping neighbors regardless of income levels, church membership or other classification.
When asked about how the group finds out about what projects to tackle, Berkey said, "That is a challenge to us."
Sometimes people are too proud to ask for help or aren't sure what the group is about. But if group members see a need at a neighbor's house, they will approach them and ask if they'd like assistance.
"A lot of it is seeing a need and stepping up," said Berkey.
The key group, he said, are concerned citizens that are helping in all avenues.
Deb Elliott said, "It's everyone pitching in to help everyone."
She said everyone tries to make the projects fun, though they are serious when they need to be. It's a lot of good fellowship.
"We want to pull the community back together," said Berkey.
Donations may be sent in care of the Claypool Good Neighbors, Att: Paul Berkey, P.O. Box 103, Claypool, IN 46510.
If a person wants to donate labor or time, they may call Berkey at 574-566-2933. [[In-content Ad]]
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CLAYPOOL - People often quote Leviticus 19:18, "... you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
How many people actually take that verse to heart?
A group of Claypool residents have decided to do just that with the Good Neighbor Fund.
Their project is among others nationwide listed and honored in this weekend's edition of USA Weekend as part of the 13th Annual Make A Difference Day. The Day is the nation's largest day of community service and is sponsored by USA Weekend in partnership with the nonpartisan Points of Light Foundation.
"The goal is to love thy neighbor as thyself," said Paul Berkey, Claypool, of the Good Neighbor Fund. The program started last summer. The fund helps pay for materials that volunteers use to help those who may not be able to help themselves or to assist someone who could use an extra hand.
The Good Neighbor group takes applications for projects to do for neighbors in the town of Claypool. Where the volunteers can't do the work themselves or buy the materials with the fund, they solicit help from area companies. Past companies that have helped include Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Creative Gardens, Anderson Greenhouse, Heiman Construction, Elkhart County Gravel, Claypool Lions Club, Claypool United Methodist Church and Claypool UMC Women.
"We've helped four (families)," said Berkey. "This is a growing thing, we're learning from experience."
At the Ryan home, the Good Neighbors helped clean up the property, landscaped, cleaned out brush and removed trees.
"It made a huge difference to that house," said Berkey.
At the Lindley home, the sidewalk was improved. Berkey said they want to redo one sidewalk in town per year because there is a need and neither the town nor the homeowners can afford to do them.
Heat ducts were installed at the Marino home for the children's room. The family was using portable electrical heaters.
The Rev. Jason Gross of Claypool UMC, who nominated the Good Neighbors Fund for the USA Weekend award, said by helping the Marino family - who then helped at the Ryan home - "they've become a part of our church family."
Berkey said the Good Neighbor Fund is a community organization though, not necessarily a church organization.
The Good Neighbor program isn't about helping any class of people, but helping neighbors regardless of income levels, church membership or other classification.
When asked about how the group finds out about what projects to tackle, Berkey said, "That is a challenge to us."
Sometimes people are too proud to ask for help or aren't sure what the group is about. But if group members see a need at a neighbor's house, they will approach them and ask if they'd like assistance.
"A lot of it is seeing a need and stepping up," said Berkey.
The key group, he said, are concerned citizens that are helping in all avenues.
Deb Elliott said, "It's everyone pitching in to help everyone."
She said everyone tries to make the projects fun, though they are serious when they need to be. It's a lot of good fellowship.
"We want to pull the community back together," said Berkey.
Donations may be sent in care of the Claypool Good Neighbors, Att: Paul Berkey, P.O. Box 103, Claypool, IN 46510.
If a person wants to donate labor or time, they may call Berkey at 574-566-2933. [[In-content Ad]]