The Big Brush Off

After a November 1999 LA/Pasadena Company of Friends cell meeting -- where members expressed a desire to perform meaningful volunteer work -- coordinator Paula Johnson found the right opportunity: a one-day commitment to rehabilitate the homes of low-income, elderly or disabled Pasadena residents.

The Pasadena program is part of Christmas in April USA, a Washington, DC-based organization that improves thousands of homes each year with volunteer labor and donated supplies. Christmas in April provided safer living conditions for 49,000 children in 1999 alone.

On April 29, as part of the tenth annual rebuilding day, some 30 Company of Friends members joined volunteers in more than 600 cities by painting the small home of Jewel Edwards, a retired cook whose osteoarthritis limits her mobility. The team also installed new flooring in her kitchen and laundry, and rebuilt one wall of her garage.

Months before the members of the LA/Pasadena and LA/Westside cells came together to play Bob Vila, 'house captains' Johnson and Joseph Lightfoot -- a former general contractor -- spent hours attending meetings, evaluating the house, and creating a work plan.

'Christmas in April is structured perfectly for Company of Friends cells,' says Johnson. 'The project brings a variety of personalities together for a clear common goal. Spending nine or ten hours learning and working with people lets you connect in a whole new way.'

Coordinates: Paula Johnson, 76106.3661@compuserve.com; Joseph Lightfoot, Joseph@lightfoot.com; Christmas in April USA, www.christmasinapril.org.