Mark and Mark at Mary Ann Van Elslander Home

As the world wakes up from its COVID fog, we realize that our homes have an abundance of deferred maintenance needs. Roofs, decks, gutters, driveways — and the list goes on.

In the last six months we’ve improved our process of identifying issues and prioritizing repairs. We have a long way to go, but we are making progress.

Many hands (and specifically-designated contributions) make this possible.

Recently, Barbara Urbiel asked Tom Lehrer if he could find a couple volunteers to do some yard maintenance at our Mary Ann Van Elslander Home in Clinton Township. Tom is the nephew of our co-founder Annemarie Lopez and the Public Information Officer for Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel.

Tom quickly found two volunteers — himself and Mr. Hackel.

They did a great job on the shrubs and weeds and we are grateful.

The end of the story is even more beautiful.

When the work was done, the four residents — Mark, Marc, John and Frankie — thanked the two “maintenance” guys. Our resident Mark, who is profoundly deaf, mouthed his own name, pointed at himself, and then pointed at the County Executive.

To some, it was a small moment after a small job. For everyone there, the impact was enormous.

On behalf of the men and women of Angels’ Place, thanks to Tom and Mark and to everyone who make this possible.


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