It's been a good 20+ years since our lower level was purged of old things, and today was the day. Every nook and cranny was gone through ahead of time and items were tagged for the 'metal-pickup' truck or the dumpster. We found many things we didn't know we had nor did we have need for them.
With the truck out front and the dumpster off the side alley, our gallant group of volunteers began the work.
The dumpster was filled to the brim in five hours. That is a lot of accumulated stuff. (Thank you grandrapidsdumpsterrental.com for the dumpster!)
Out front, everything with a bit of metal in it was being carried out to the trailer.
After an hour or so, it began to rain but this slowed no one down.
In under three hours, the trailer was expertly and efficiently loaded, strapped down, and headed for Padnos Recyling Center.
And just a few words on this small family business that picked up our metal things at no charge to us. 'Moved or Removed' today consisted of Shelley and her two children, Alex and Samantha. Shelley's partner, Jeremiah, was hospitalized and so these three handled it all, with some carrying help from our staff and interns. We believe they just might be the hardest working family in Grand Rapids, and we highly recommend them. (movedorremoved@gmail.com; 616-337-1815: moving, hauling, trash & yard waste removal, and light demolition).
Our other group of volunteers was made up of teenagers from St. Robert's church in Ada, led by Jim and Greg from Mel Trotter Ministries. Knowing all of the things that had to be carried up from our lower level, I felt a little dismayed when I first saw the group of two boys and four girls walk in. But I was wrong to be concerned. They were motivated, determined, and not afraid to walk into any spider-webbed filled closet or cubby hole. They were intrepid warriors.
A special thanks also goes out to our interns, Tim and Evan, and staff members, Tony and Mike. If I can ever get them together I will add a photo :-) They worked non-stop during this project and did the bulk of the heavy lifting.
So after every hallway and closet was investigated and cleared, we said goodbye to clean-up day.
