Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
CLAYPOOL - The Claypool Good Neighbors have painted, pounded and poured their way to another Make A Difference Day recognition through the USA Today Weekend magazine.
The Good Neighbors Last year the good neighbors installed a privacy fence, landscaping and a play area for children.
On every weekend in October they organized volunteer labor and replaced sidewalks. One sidewalk was in such poor condition it looked more like an obstacle course than a cement path. At another location a sidewalk and cement parking pad were installed for two wheelchair-bound individuals. The second was the Make a Difference Day projects.
Funding for the projects are provided through bake sales revenue, donations for local groups, private donations and funding from the Kosciusko Community Foundation.
"Our mission is to love they neighbor as thy self," said coordinator Paul Neuman. "Our main motivation is to address unresolved safety concerns within the town. many of our efforts focus on children and the handicapped."
Completed Good Neighbor events have long term impact because they deal directly with the health and well being of local residents. The improved quality of life for one individual can affect the whole community.
"We all benefit from improved sidewalks and cosmetic improvements," Berkey said. "The life we improve because of a safe place to play or travel is immeasurable. We like to think that concrete will last forever. The reality is the only thing that lasts eternal is how we treat each other."
This year Awards went to 514 volunteer efforts that took place around the country Oct. 23, the 14th Make a Difference Day. Awards are published in the April 15 - 17 issue of USA Weekend Magazine, inserted in today's Times-Union.
There are 10 national awards and each receives a $10,000 charitable donation from actor and philanthropist Paul Newman.
One Encore Award winner receives a $10,000 donation from USA Weekend and the Gannett Foundation.
This year there are 503 newspaper awards recognizing each outstanding group among readers of a local newspaper that offers USA Weekend Magazine.
The next Make A Difference Day is Oct. 22. To take part, identify a need in your community and address it. For ideas, go to the Web site. makeadifferenceday.com
The Good Neighbors aren't ready to sip lemonade on the porch, however. A spring-sprucing days is set for April 23 and volunteers are welcome. The group will get started in the Lions Club building at 8 a.m. and be served lunch by the United Methodist women at noon.
The group plans several landscaping projects, repairs to the park's baseball field and preparing more sidewalk improvements.
One big goal this year is to plant the Claypool-side of the Ind. 15 overpass in wildflowers.
Berkey said he has a core group of about 20 volunteers and others come and go.
"Some people come specifically to landscape, others to paint. There are 10 good, strong backs who help with the sidewalks and a platoon of women who make baked goods for fund raisers," Berkey said.
He said the town council has been extremely helpful in all the Good Neighbors endeavors.
"I love doing this and would encourage other communities to start their own groups."
For more information call Berkey, 566-2933.
