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April 17, 2006
Red Cross Heroes of Western Connecticut Award
BRING A SMILE AND A PAINT BRUSH
By Dale Skaggs
Red Cross Disaster Services Volunteer
What can you do with a step-ladder, a paint brush and bucket, an old rag and a smile? You can join Peter Brady and 224 other volunteers who will spend a day working hard, having fun, and feeling good about accomplishing something important. Oh, and by the way, you'll paint a house or two. That is just an outline of Brady's latest project, an effort to recruit 75 people from each of three area churches to paint several low income senior housing buildings in Danbury's Memorial Park neighborhood, as part of the Greater Danbury ShareFest, a mobilization of area churches to help those in need.
Volunteer advocate Peter "Brady shows off his Handy Dandy Handyman tee-shirt worn by hundreds who have helped on the many projects he's initiated.
As the founder and president of the non-profit organization Handy Dandy Handyman, this is exactly the sort of project Brady knows well. Organizing 224 volunteers to paint several structures for senior citizens, or even more volunteers to paint the outside of a church, is not unusual for this retired Director of Purchasing for Nestle USA, who was inspired by a 1999 homily at his parish church to dedicate the skills developed over a 38 year career to serving the needy in his community. When he heard that call back in 1999, he was still working for Nestle USA, so the first year was• one of small jobs, like raking leaves, done on weekends for just a couple of clients, by only ten volunteers, five of whom were Brady, his wife Carol Ann, and their three daughters. Retirement, in February of 2000, greatly expanded the time available to clean basements, attics and yards, do odd jobs and make minor home repairs for the elderly, single moms, unemployed, disabled or bereaved, anyone who needed that kind of help. Begun as a ministry grounded in the spiritual and financial support of Brookfield's Saint Joseph Parish, in just over three years the operation had grown so much that it was established as a separate non-profit company. Today the organization's volunteer base is over 900 and the number of clients' served is over 250. Last November's Rake-N-Bake, an annual leaf cleanup event, saw over 800 volunteers rake leaves for 56 homeowners unable to handle the task themselves.
Asked if he was always a handyman, Brady smiles and says, "Not really, I was one of seven children, so we had to help out, but I didn't really have lots of those kinds of skills. I just knew I wanted to use what I did have, good health, financial stability, and skills in communications, organization and motivation, to help those who needed it." So how did a resolution to rake some leaves and clean out a garage for some neighbors in need turn into an organization with 900 volunteers serving hundreds of clients every year? According to Brady, it's important that the work requirements are clearly organized and communicated and that the volunteers get positive feedback about how their efforts helped. As a result, the volunteers have fun because it feels good to help others. "We work hard," he says, "But we always laugh and have a good time too." Then he grinned and revealed another motivational secret: "I also give away a red Handy Dandy Handyman sweatshirt every year to our 'Most Valuable Volunteer' and people really want to win that sweatshirt!"
Brady's volunteer work at the Dorothy Day homeless shelter gave rise to another facet of the Handy Dandy Handyman operation. The shelter needed a couple of recliner chairs for volunteer staff, so he found someone with used chairs and arranged for their donation to the shelter. "That experience," he said, "made me wonder if there might' be a way to match up people who have stuff they don't need, with people who need it." Thus was born 'Pete's Repeats', a feature on Brady's website which posts items available from donors, as well as specific items needed by clients.
Peter Brady retired at the age of 58, and has since found countless ways to keep busy doing work that is very important, not only to his clients, but to his fellow volunteers and to the entire community.
(Handy Dandy Handyman is on the web at http://www.hdhm.org. Email Peter Brady at peterbrady@hdhm.org. The Greater Danbury ShareFest is scheduled for May 6 and 7, 2006.)
Posted by hdhm at 9:31 AM
April 16, 2006
Lawn Tractor Silent Auction
Lawn Tractor Available
This red Toro "Wheel Horse" model 13-38 XL has been donated by one of my 87 year old senior clients who decided to let the lawn care company take over his lawn a few years ago. He asked that we try to raise some money for the HDHM Ministry in appreciation for all we did for him for the last 6 years. We will therefore run a silent auction as follows:
Specifications--
Briggs and Stratton Engine
13 Horse Power powerful engine
Solid State ignition-key start
5 speed forward and 1 reverse gears
Headlights for the moonlit cruise around your property
38" double blade mowing deck
Ability to mulch or spread across the lawn
Owners Manual included
I just had it totally serviced and it runs like a charm. We had the blades sharpened as well. It has been garaged since birth 5 years ago and is in mint condition.
Seldom used.
Silent Auction:
This can be seen and driven on my front lawn from today until Thursday evening at 5PM when the bidding is over and the highest bid is announced.
The retail price in your local store today is $1,300.00 + 6% sales tax or $1,378.00 plus delivery of $50.00=$1.428.00.
Our E-Bray starting minimum bid is set at $650.00, no sales tax. There is free delivery by HDHM Trailer to your garage
Thanks for any interest you may have for this Father's Day gift for your spouse or yourself.
Your donation will help us assist the less fortunate with basic needs of the family.
You will also receive a Tax Deductible receipt for your check to HDHM Ministry.
Boss Man
--
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 5:02 PM
April 13, 2006
Pete's Repeats Special Auction April 13, 2006
A very generous HDHM donor has provided the Ministry with an opportunity to run a mini fund raiser with a silent auction.
SILENT AUCTION
A golfers dream. We have in our possession a new O'gio fully equipped golf bag along with 27 assorted golf clubs that will be going to the highest bidder when we close this bid process on Wednesday evening 6PM April 19.
The clubs include many graphite drivers, several putters, chippers, sand wedges, regular assorted irons with most coming with their own monogrammed covers. The avid player who donated the clubs either won, purchased, or was given to him as a gift. Some are new and some are gently used. There are 80% mens, and 20% ladies clubs. They are all in excellent condition. They will all be on display at the top of my driveway from now until Wednesday for you to come and check out at your convenience.
All bids are confidential and you will receive a tax receipt for your donation to HDHM Ministry.
The total value of this package deal is estimated to be approximately $1,750.00 and the bag alone is $350.00.
Nothing will be awarded as a single item. It is all or none.
Starting minimum bid is $400.00.
Thanks for your anticipated interest in this fund raiser to help the less fortunate clients of HDHM Ministry.
--
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 7:49 PM
April 11, 2006
Peter Brady Awarded United Way Unsung Hero Award
Apr 11 2006 8:14 AM
'Unsung heroes'
United Way to honor three with service awards
By Brian Saxton THE NEWS-TIMES
The News-Times/Michael Duffy
Peter Brady, foreground, paints with volunteer Burk Aikman.
DANBURY — Peter Brady was inspired to help the community after listening to his local pastor's sermon on the good works of St. Peter.
Celia Bacelar has spent the last eight years helping her fellow countrymen from Brazil build a cultural bridge with the American community in greater Danbury and to improve their own lives.
John Patrick opted to use his Internet experience to assist nonprofit groups develop and strengthen their humanitarian and cultural programs.
In Danbury tonight, the United Way of Northern Fairfield County will honor them as recipients of this year's community service awards.
"These three individuals volunteer, advocate and donate a large share of their expertise to make our community a better place in which to live," United Way president June Renzulli said Monday. "They really represent the best in all of us."
Peter Brady
The News-Times/Wendy Carlson
John Patrick of Ridgefield will receive an award for his volunteer service.
The Encouraging Community Involvement Award.
Peter Brady, 64, who lives in Brookfield, was already helping people less fortunate than himself when he retired in 2000 after a 38-year career with Nestle USA. The seed was planted in 1999 during a Sunday morning sermon by the Rev. Larry Carroll at St. Joseph Church, Brookfield, that extolled the good deeds of St. Peter.
"That's when I got the idea of volunteering to be a handyman for those in the parish needing help but (who) couldn't afford it," Brady said Monday. "I wanted to help people who were seniors, widowed, divorced, handicapped or unemployed."
Brady started with a handful of weekend projects such as home repairs, cleaning yards and attics, and other basic jobs. Working alongside him were 10 other volunteers, including his wife, Carol Ann, and their three grown daughters, Kerri, 35, Ellen, 34 and Robyn, 24
News-Times file photo
Celia Bacelar has done everything from creating an education center to founding a bilingual newspaper.
By 2003, Brady's program, known as the Handy Dandy Handyman Ministry, had grown so large he applied for state non-profit status to allow for greater financial support from banks, businesses and private donations.
Today, with an annual budget of $35,000, Brady is able to call on more than 900 volunteers in eight area towns. His services for those in need are still free and all the materials needed for the repairs and renovations are provided at no cost to the client.
"No one gets paid, but everyone feels good after a day's work," said Brady.
This winter, Brady rallied support for goods and financial gifts for the food bank in New Milford. He coordinated donations from 2,000 people and raised $2,740 for the pantries in New Milford and Danbury.
"I started all this because I wanted to give something back to the Lord," said Brady. "I knew he had already given me a great family, health, energy and financial stability. It's very satisfying to help people who cannot do things for themselves."
Celia Bacelar
The Forrest C. Palmer Community Service Award.
In the eight years since Celia Bacelar first began focusing on the social and cultural issues facing greater Danbury's Portuguese-speaking community, the 46-year-old Brazilian businesswoman has done everything from creating an education center for them to founding a bilingual newspaper.
"She has played a leading role in forging a cultural bridge between the Brazilian and American communities within the greater Danbury area," said Kim Morgan, United Way's director of marketing and communications.
Morgan said Bacelar's tireless fundraising efforts have generated nearly $30,000 for the AmeriCares free medical clinics in Danbury and Bridgeport.
Bacelar, who once owned a travel agency and photographic studio in Brazil, emigrated to the United States in 1995 and settled in Danbury.
Three years later, she founded the Center for Brazilian Assistance in Danbury, a service that provides free English language instruction and community-focused seminars for the area's Portuguese population.
"A lot of people did not understand my intentions, but I wanted to be a role model. I wanted to help people have their dignity and be able to help themselves," Bacelar said Monday.
Among other programs, the center helped educate people to avoid businesses in the city that were reportedly exploiting Brazilians by charging them fees for filing government documents.
Bacelar's programs included arranging seminars with the Danbury police department to create better channels of communication and understanding. A similar program was arranged with the police department in Bridgeport.
Bacelar went another step farther in 2000 when she founded the Tribuna, a Danbury-based newspaper written in English and Portuguese. It is now the biggest Brazilian publication of its kind in Connecticut.
"I wanted to build a bridge between the two cultures and reach out with my message," said Bacelar. "I thought the Brazilian community was very isolated at the time and Brazilian businesses were not recognized as part of the community.
"I think the newspaper has helped to build this bridge."
John Patrick
The Peter T. White Volunteer Service Award
Internet whiz John Patrick, a former vice president of Internet technology at IBM, believes his interest in volunteerism is genetic.
"My father was involved with just about every non-profit group in Salem, N.J., when I was growing up," Patrick, 60, said Monday. "So was his father and his grandfather."
Patrick, who has lived with his family in Ridgefield since 1981, worked for IBM for 38 years and said the corporation always encouraged community involvement among its employees.
"They considered it part of their experience," said Patrick. "My experience became the Internet."
Network World magazine named Patrick one of the 25 most powerful people in business networking and he now serves on the board of several national corporations as well as running his own Internet company.
He serves on the board of Danbury Health Systems Inc. and Danbury Hospital, and is the founding president of Housatonic Habitat for Humanity.
He has also been providing pro bono consulting to a number of non-profit groups in Danbury and Ridgefield.
"I don't think of myself as a consultant," said Patrick. "I'm really just one of many people who give their time and experience to others. Many people donate money to non-profit groups. I think the gifts of time and experience are even more valuable."
As an example, Patrick cited the many professionals who serve on committees at Danbury Hospital and volunteer their expertise.
"These are the unsung heroes," said Patrick. "They include people such as lawyers, doctors and bankers. In terms of this award I am getting, I accept it on behalf of the large number of people who do what I do."
Contact Brian Saxton
at bsaxton@newstimes.com
or at (203) 731-3332.
Posted by hdhm at 9:00 AM
April 1, 2006
Firefighters honored for saving life
Firefighters honored for saving life
By Robin DeMerell THE NEWS-TIMES
From left, Jeff Tomchik, Shari Hernly and Bernie Meehan were honored by the American Red Cross for saving the life of a Danbury man last April.
As a firefighter for the city, Bernie Meehan's first priority is helping others. He doesn't expect recognition or even kudos for a job well done. For him the satisfaction is knowing he's helped someone.
On April 6, Meehan and two other city firefighters, Jeff Tomchik and Shari Hernly, will be presented with an award by the local American Red Cross for saving the life of a Danbury man. Meehan said he's just glad that the teamwork is being recognized.
"No emergency responder does this to receive awards, and you get kidded pretty good about it by your colleagues," Meehan, 44, said. "This is nice. It honors the team effort. It's not any individual action."
But he said it's important for the community to recognize their services — that there people out there willing and able to save lives whenever they can.
"Someone on the outside is looking in," Meehan said. "Somebody from the outside sees the efforts we do."
Meehan has been with the department for 21 years and in February was promoted to the position of captain.
Tomchik, a firefighter with the department for three years, said he was surprised by the award.
"I was taken aback," Tomchik said. "We were just doing what we do every day."
But he said after call after call after call, he said sometimes he's not sure the community recognizes the efforts made by firefighters.
"It was a feeling of appreciation I had for the community recognizing that we're here and doing our job — it was a good feeling," Tomchik said. "When something like this happens, you feel your worth."
The three rescuers are receiving the award is for saving a man who had an allergic reaction to a bee sting last August. Meehan was on the call with firefighters Hernly and Tomchik at the King Street fire station when city resident John Durso was stung by a white-faced hornet. He had only minutes to live.
"We got a call that someone wasn't breathing," Meehan said.
When they got there, Meehan said Durso's wife and two toddlers were watching over him.
The 43-year-old Danbury man had gone into anaphylactic shock. His pulse had dropped to 60 and his airway was completely closed. Firefighters administered Epinephrine, a medicine that counteracts an allergic response, and an IV.
"Our first response was what turned the tide on this guy," Meehan said. "If you're not breathing, you typically have six minutes before brain damage occurs."
Durso was taken to the hospital by ambulance and made a complete recovery — the only satisfaction Meehan needed.
"It's strange, but it's our job. That's why we're there," he said. "The benefit is someone gets to see their kids graduate from school — they get their future. The success is doing your job and seeing someone get a second chance at life."
Red Cross spokeswoman Gail Meehan said the organization was "very impressed with the the response time and teamwork."
"They took everything under control and stabilized the situation and saved a life," said Meehan, no relation to Bernie Meehan.
The Emergency Response for the Professional Responder Award will be presented by the local Red Cross chapter at 7:30 a.m. at its 16th annual breakfast at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury. Also receiving a variety of awards for acts heroism, courage and kindness are Newtown teacher Jason Christian; Joey Kyck, Peter Brady and Angela Haselwood, all of Brookfield; William von Zehle of Ridgefield; Karlyn Sturmer of Sandy Hook; Dianne Yamin of Danbury, and Kieran O'Brien of New Fairifield.
Tickets to the breakfast are $25 per person and are available by calling the American Red Cross at (203) 792-8200.
Posted by hdhm at 6:25 PM