Let me start off by saying how thankful I am for being invited to help out Progressive Insurance volunteers with a wonderful community service project. Last weekend, about 70 volunteers from various departments at Progressive Insurance volunteered their time and effort for The Cleveland Sight Center's Highbrook Lodge. This place is awesome. For those of you who don't know what this is:
"Highbrook Lodge, the first camp in the United States built specifically for blind or visually impaired persons, was opened in June 1928, the gift of three pioneering Cleveland Sight Center volunteers and early supporters: Prudence Sherwin, and Ida and Josephine Grasselli. Five miles south of Chardon, Ohio, it is named for a rippling stream that descends the length of Highbrook’s gently sloping hillside.
It is a place where independence and self-sufficiency are encouraged, campers can improve orientation and mobility skills, increase their ability to live independently and, most importantly, learn while having fun surrounded by natural beauty."
Bob Kochmit, the camp manager, had an ambitious list of projects that needed to be completed before the camp opened... and we were happy to help.
After a full day of work, Bob sent me the list of what was accomplished:
- 50 tons of stone were used to pave 708ft of walking track…
- 10 yards of mulch were laid on 375ft of sensory trail…
- Over 500 fallen branches were removed…
- 10,000+ beads were sorted…
- 1,000+ crayons were sorted…
- 15 gallons of paint were painted with 19 paint brushes…
- 3,500 lbs of furniture were moved…
- 1 sports and recreation shed was moved…
- 9 Gallons of off-road diesel were burned in the equipment used…
- 8 ropes course elements were cleared of debris…
- 1 mouse had to find a new home…
- 1 Conestoga wagon had it’s top restored…
- 50 plants were placed in the ground…
- 24 gallons of water were drank…
- 100,000+ smiles will happen because of your hard work…
This was such a wonderful experience all around and it felt great to work alongside such motivated, well-organized and caring volunteers.
I wanted to post some photos and a quick video to show all of you just how much we were able to get done. Thanks to Progressive Insurance and The Cleveland Sight Center for letting me come along!
-Steve
