Helping Hands paint Valley Grange dining hall

    GUILFORD — The Valley Grange, long known for collaborating with other organizations, recently experienced some first-hand benefits from teaming up with the Mountain View Youth Development Program in Charleston. A crew of youth and supervisors joined members to give the Valley Grange dining hall several coats of fresh paint from top to bottom.

Photo courtesy of Valley Grange Program/
Publicity Director Walter Boomsma

BREAK IN THE ACTION — Valley Grange member Roger Ricker enjoys an impromptu game of cribbage with a youth during a short lunch break. The Mountain View Youth Development Program Helping Hands recently did some painting at the Valley Grange in Guilford.

    The Youth Development outreach program is called “Helping Hands,” with a goal of developing pro-social skills and competencies by allowing detained and “shock sentenced” youth to earn the privilege of completing community service projects and develop work skills in the process.
    “Truthfully, we never expected such energy and commitment—and a great job!” admitted Jim Annis, master of the Valley Grange. “The kids brought an abundance of energy and some large appetites, but one thing the Grange is famous for is providing food.”
    Lunch was part of the program as the crew came for two full days — the second day at their request so they not only could finish the job as planned but also paint the entire 1200 square foot floor. The kids’ energy inspired members to join in and work alongside them.
    Grange Program Director Walter Boomsma coordinated the project and says he was not only happy to see the hall looking so much better, he enjoyed watching Grangers “join hands with Helping Hands.” He says he’s particularly impressed with how the program works.
    “Instead of requiring community service as an almost punishment, the Helping Hands program seems to have made it a reward and that’s apparent from how hard the kids work and their attitudes while working,” he said. “I think they thanked us as much as we thanked them.” 

Photo courtesy of Valley Grange Program/
Publicity Director Walter Boomsma

GET RIGHT IN THERE —A member of Helping Hands goes behind the stove during a painting project at the Valley Grange.

    Inspired by the help they were getting, Grange members and friends expanded the scope of the project to include a number of additional upgrades that included painting the huge wood-fired kitchen range, adding some hand-made tie-backs to the curtains, and a thorough spring cleaning. Community Service Chairperson Mary Annis notes that the timing is perfect. “We have our big community night coming up on May 16 when we present our Community Citizen of the Year Award. This year we’re going to really look our best!”
    Boomsma said that he hopes the kids feel like they are part of the Grange and community as a result of their involvement. “We tried to explain that their work helps us and the community in so many ways. We could never maintain this building and do the work we do without people like these kids and their supervisors who give so much of themselves.”
    For additional information about Valley Grange visit http://valleygrange.com. Information about the Mountain View Helping Hands project is available by calling the Mountain View Youth Development Center at 285-0880.