Leadership Bay County 2011 Class Project Close To Completion

June 5, 2011
By: O. J. Cunningham

The 2011 Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class has spent the last three months diligently working on the renovations of the Men's Courtyard at the Good Samaritan Rescue Mission. After dealing with an extremely rainy, cold spring, digging feverishly in the dirt, and spending many hours toiling over the trials that accompany a project of this magnitude, the class is overjoyed to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

"They are such a hard working group of young people. I wish everyone could see how they took on what even the professionals said was an impossible task," said Ron Greenwood, Rescue Mission Facilities Manager. Greig Pelletier of Tri-City Masonry Supply who is also involved in the project commented, "I have been in this industry for over 30 years and have never seen a project that was this labor intensive. I have seen less material moved by helicopter, crane and boat but not by people. I really commend the group for what they have taken on and the amazing job they have done."

Over 600 hours have been spent working on the courtyard by the 21 class members, their family and friends that have volunteered their time and other groups from Dow Chemical and Chemical Bank. "None of this could have been accomplished without the support of these volunteers," commented Melissa Eigner, Volunteer Committee Chair. "We pulled together as a class and a community to get the job done!"

"We have worked very hard and grown as individuals as well as a group during the course of this project," says Tara Cox, Leadership Class project chair. "We are very proud of what we have accomplished and feel that we have gotten more than we could have ever expected out of the experience of Leadership Bay County. This is the exact reason the program was created, to help individuals learn about and appreciate the community they live in. We have all done that to the fullest."

The class chose this project in order to make an impact on those in need in our community and leave a legacy for years to come. The goal is to give the male guests of the mission, who are in a stressful time in their life and reaching out for help, a place to seek some peace and quiet, personal reflection and stress relief from the trials of this difficult time.

A portion of the funds raised was through the selling of engraved bricks from area businesses and individuals. The success of the brick sales was a pleasant surprise for the class. This money alone more than paid for the $4,000+ cost of the bricks that have been laid in the beautiful arched sidewalk that encompasses the courtyard.

The remainder of the project was funded through proceeds raised at the silent auction at the Bay Area Chamber Annual Meeting held in March, grants from the Frances Goll Mills Foundation and Bay Area Community Foundation, corporate sponsorships from both Dow Chemical and Dow Corning, and other in-kind donations from area businesses.

A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 15th at 4:00 at the Mission prior to the Class having their official Graduation later that evening.