Handy Dandy Handy Man

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November 16, 2005

Rake n Bake 2005 Pictures

We have been working hard behind stage to bring you the News Times article on the Rake N Bake day, also a photo gallery of many great shots for your viewing pleasure. Three options available.

My personal thanks to Joe and Marabeth Pereira, as well as Mark Broadmeyer who made it all happen.

1. Yesterdays news article click on http://news.newstimeslive.com/story.php?id=76720

2. To see the web of still shots click on http://www.hdhm.org/gallery/

3. To see the shots in slide show fashion click on

http://www.hdhm.org/gallery/slideshow.php?set_albumName=HDHM-Rake-n-Bake-2005

We hope you enjoy reading and seeing what many hands can accomplish when working for the Holy Spirit. It was one joyful day to celebrate.

Thanks for all the labor and financial support to keep this Ministry moving along.

-

Pete Brady Boss Man
Handy Dandy Handyman

Posted by hdhm at 07:22 AM | Comments (0)

November 15, 2005

Rake n Bake 2005 News Times Article 11/15/05

2005-11-15 Really big Rake N Bake draws 800-plus volunteers By Angie Jeffrey NEWS-TIMES CORRESPONDENT The News-Times/Michael Duffy D.J. Christy, 13, Alexandra Willey, 11, Danielle Keeton, 12, and Rose Willey, 13, all of Brookfield, rake leaves as part of the Rake N Bake on Nov. 12. When Rake N Bake began in 1998, it consisted of Brookfield resident Peter Brady, his wife Carol Ann, their three daughters — Kerri, Ellen and Robyn — and five other volunteers. The Bradys wanted to help some local senior citizens with their fall cleanup, so the small group raked leaves for two parishioners from St. Joseph's Church and afterward went to a pizza parlor for a celebratory lunch. Nearly eight years later, not only is Rake N Bake still going strong, it has grown by leaps and bounds. Brady, aka The Handy Dandy Handyman (HDHM), and his family were joined Sunday by nearly 800 other volunteers and raked leaves for 56 people, from Brookfield, Danbury, Bridgewater and New Milford. Volunteers clad in red T-shirts gathered at 8 a.m. in the Brookfield High School gym, where Brady led the group in a prayer. Participants then broke off into teams and headed to their designated houses. The majority of clients who receive the cleanup services are senior citizens or people who have handicaps, are widowed, sick or just down on their luck and in need of a little help. Volunteers this year included two youth groups, nine athletic teams from BHS, five church groups, seven scout troops and three neighborhood groups. There were also 35 people from Cendant Mobility, and a number of individual volunteers who pitched in to help. New Milford resident Susan Slink and her son, Jay, 17, volunteered for the first time this year. Slink's group consisted of 20 people who covered five acres of land at one house. "We helped a very nice older gentleman, and when we left he thanked us and we all took a picture together. He was really grateful," Slink said. Norma Fogarty, a 79-year-old retired nurse who has trouble walking, had the yard of her Brookfield home cleaned up for the third year in a row. "They did a wonderful job and it's such a nice service for the community," Fogarty said. Jacquelyn Letizia, 10, Meghan Letizia, 8, and Molly Russo, 8, who are neighbors, were three of the volunteers who worked on Fogarty's house. This was their first Rake N Bake, but all three say they will do it again next year. "It was really fun helping people out," Meghan said. "Plus, we got to throw leaves at each other and ride in the tarp around the yard," Molly said. The majority of the volunteers returned to the high school between 11 a.m. and noon for a free lunch of hot dogs and drinks courtesy of Brady's brother, Bill, who owns Doc's Dogs hot dog cart. Brookfield resident Bob Elston also supplied hot dogs for many of the volunteers. All of the clients whose homes are cleaned make baked goods for the volunteers and take them to the school, where everyone mingles. Rosemarie and Frank Corbin had their yard cleaned for the seventh year in a row. "My husband had been sick at the time I first started, and they did such a wonderful job for us. "What's great is seeing husbands and wives and their children working together and everyone just working together as a community," Rosemarie Corbin said. Thirteen-year-old Nicole Bullard, a Girl Scout from Danbury, came with Troops 307 and 622 and helped out for the second year in a row. "It was a great experience to help people with their yards who aren't able to do it themselves, and working with all of these different people in the community was really nice, too," Bullard said. Brady's HDHM Ministry handed out two awards at the end of the day for the Most Valuable Volunteer of the year. Bridgewater resident Steve Greene and Brookfield resident Chris Bader were the recipients of those awards. Brady was thrilled with the outcome of the event, calling it "One of the most successful community-service events in Connecticut history." "Look at this — isn't this amazing?" he said, gesturing to the sea of red shirts that filled the BHS gym after the raking. "What a day!" The News-Times 333 Main Street Danbury CT 06810 All items copyright © 2005 by The News-Times unless otherwise noted.

Posted by hdhm at 08:06 PM | Comments (0)

November 14, 2005

Rake n Bake '05 Success

The Rake n Bake '05 is now in the books as one of the most successful community service projects in the history of the state of CT. with 801 volunteers working in the Lord's name for those who needed us most. The sunny 55 degree weather brought out the best in us, as did the fine lunch provided.

We always try to break even on our expenses for this our largest event of the year, but this year we fell very short in the donation box provided. We collected $655.00 while our expenses were over $1,500.00 to feed the crowd, even with some donated items.

If you are looking for a place to rest your tax deductible funds before the close of the year, our treasury is feeling the pinch since I have yet to be awarded any meaningful Grants this year, and do want to keep this Ministry alive for the immediate future. Mark the memo as Rake N Bake on the check please. Remember, no one in the organization receives any compensation for the work performed during the year.

For more information on this Non-Profit organization click on our web site at www.hdhm.org

If you would be inclined to send to me a donation in any amount and receive your tax receipt, please make a check payable to:

HDHM Ministry

Send to
HDHM Ministry
c/o Peter Brady
26 Shamrock Drive
Brookfield, CT. 06804

Thank you for your generosity.

I will be forwarding photos of the fabulous Rake N Bake day when I receive the action shots from my volunteer Web Master and Photo Expert Joe Pereira.

Peace.

Pete Brady Boss Man
Handy Dandy Handyman

Posted by hdhm at 02:04 PM | Comments (0)

November 08, 2005

8th Annual Rake n Bake Update

Ladies and Gentlemen;

The 8th Annual Rake n Bake numbers are in and final at 56 homes to be raked by 750 raker volunteers. All homes will be covered, some teams doing two places.

5 church groups, 3 corporate groups, 5 scout teams, 7 athletic teams, 1 youth group, 3 neighborhood teams, and 400 families and individual raker make up this years roster. A very impressive display of support for our 56 clients.

We completed cleaning all accessible house gutters and are good to go with all house captains at the helm for the Saturday event.

We ask all participants to open the spreadsheet to determine the team number and captain they will be working hard for, to avoid confusion when you check in at the BHS school gym at at before 8AM this Sat, Nov 12. If you see any mistakes in the team roster it is too late for me to revise the list so we will have to work around the oversight on my part. If you are late your team will leave without you.

Click on this link to view the teams. http://hdhm.org/rakenbakeroster.htm

The weather is a perfect sunny day at 55-60 degrees, so bring your sunscreen rather than your snow shovel from last years Rake n Bake.

If you own a HDHM RED shirt, please wear it. If you have any other red shirt, wear it, as red is the color of the day. There will be two news paper reporters on hand for pictures and a story for next weeks news, so keep smiling as you never know who is watching you at work.

Community Service Awards--On Line-Click here and complete your own award---

http://hdhm.org/commservice/serviceaward.htm

THINGS TO REMEMBER

1. Do not go to the house you were assigned. You need to meet inside the BHS gym to receive your name badge and meet your team capt. We will start the event with a prayer of thanks for the glorious day of giving.

2. Do Not bring any equipment into the building. Leave it outside please. Mark all your equipment to avoid any mistakes in identity.

3. Each team should return to the school no later than 11:30AM to enjoy a fabulous FREE lunch on HDHM Ministry.

4. The Most Valuable Volunteer Award for 2005 will be announced at lunch.

5. A free 9.25LB Nestle Crunch Bar along with a 5LB Hershey chocolate bar (compliments of my friendly competitor Tony Edwards from Hershey)will be given away to the lucky winners.

6. This is a great opportunity to meet new folks, so don't be bashful.

7. "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad".

Peace to all for a great week ahead.

--

Pete Brady Boss Man
Handy Dandy Handyman
26 Shamrock Drive
Brookfield, CT 06804
203-740-1243 (Phone)
203-740-2524 (Fax)
"A Non-Profit Company working as a Ministry"
Fed ID 32-0092917

Posted by hdhm at 10:32 AM | Comments (0)