Puzzle Answers

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Puzzle Answers This Week

SNAPPY WORDS

We Need Your Help!

Featured Nonprofit: Cra ing for Good

Cra ing for Good (CfG), of North Chili, is a nonpro t thri store selling donated cra supplies to raise money to feed the hungry and provide clean water where needed. CfG is run by a team of dedicated volunteers, who donate to organizations such as Foodlink and Southwest Ecumenical Ministries, in order to feed the hungry in our community. CfG also supports our community by re-using and upcycling cra materials, keeping them out of a land ll.

CfG welcomes cra ing material donations, as well as volunteers. For more information, visit Cra ing for Good Facebook page, email cratingforgood@gmail.com, or call (585)617-3427.

Would your nonpro t organization like to be our Nonpro t of the Month? ere is no cost. Email hometown@gvpennysaver.com with your information! • Alzheimer’s Association: Be a part of our planning committees! Email Julie DeMersman at jademersman@alz.org or call (585) 257-4476. • Aurora House of Western Monroe County, Comfort Care Home: Aurora House o ers end of life care to people in the last weeks and months of their lives. Call (585) 617-4863 or email director@aurorahousewmc.com. • Crossroads House is looking for volunteers for Resident Care, Fundraising Support, Building and Grounds Maintenance, O ce Assistance and a variety of other support roles. Email: emilycrawford@crossroadshouse.com. • Finger Lakes oroughbred Adoption Program (FLTAP): We are in need of basic barn help for the horses, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. Mostly cleaning stalls and basic grooming (no experience necessary). Email ladyalina14@yahoo.com or call (585) 478-4664. • Generation Two: Volunteers needed to play with children in kindergarten to 2nd grade in select Monroe County schools in the fall. Training provided. Commitment of 1 day per week for 3 hours. Visit our website to learn about our program at www.g2rochester.org. Call Mary Terwilliger, Director of Community Engagement at (585) 613-2590 or email mary.terwilliger@g2rochester.org. • Genesee County 4-H Program, 4-H Teen Club Leader: Coordinate monthly meetings and projects for youth age 13-18. Call (585) 343-3040 or email genesee4h@cornell.edu. • Girl Scouts of Western NY: e Avon-Caledonia area is looking for volunteers for troops Daisy, Brownie, and Juniors. Training and many resources provided. Contact Jeanne at (585) 226-6434 or by email at jfusco33@juno.com. • Give-a-Li at Lifespan is seeking volunteer drivers to provide independence and safety for our older neighbors who are no longer able to drive. Rides are given to medical appointments and other necessary supplemental insurances are provided free of charge. If you have a couple of hours a week, or even a couple of hours a month, contact us by phone at (585) 244-8400 or email at info@lifespan-roch.org. • Lifespan of Greater Rochester’s AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP of Livingston County needs volunteers 55 and older to serve as coaches in evidence-based programs, providers of respite to caregivers, and others to volunteer at Noyes Health gi shop. Please contact Deborah Palumbos at (585) 851-9388 or email her at dpalumbos@lifespanrochester.org. • Richmond (Honeoye) Fire Department needs volunteers to help with everything from ghting res to re ghter suppport, ambulance driver and EMS support. ere is something for everyone to help with. Help us to help you, your neighbors and community. Volunteering is a rewarding experience. Contact us for details. Email Dale Doty at ddoty3@rochester.rr.com or call him at (585) 750-1173. • Sent by Ravens Food Pantry would like help with food pick ups, food deliveries, stocking shelves, clothing closet organization, toy room organization, and website assistance! Pantry is open on Saturday from 9-11AM. Please call (585) 481-5942. • UR Medicine Home Care/Meals On Wheels: Help us deliver meals in Monroe County. Meals are delivered Monday-Friday between the hours of 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Call (585) 274-4385. • Vincent House: e Vincent House in Wayland is a Comfort Care Home serving residents with end-of-life care. We are in need of volunteers. Contact Christina Mattice at (585) 728-2427. Charitable Organizations and Nonprofi ts can submit requests at gvpennysaver.com under My Hometown

Published online and in print of the last week of the month as space permits. See more volunteer opportunities at gvpennysaver.com

From Webster to Africa & Beyond BY DP DUNN

Rich Comins of Webster, NY, is a quiet man with salt and pepper hair and a twinkle in his eye. He has made friends and changed lives on every continent, except perhaps Antarctica. Rich is a small but mighty link in a chain of Rotarians that deliver ‘mobility devices’ all around the world. What’s a mobility device? Examples include crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, canes, leg braces, baby joggers and strollers, bike strollers, and prosthetic limbs. Rich collects these items for distribution overseas, at no cost to the recipient, through an organization called Crutches 4 Africa, whose mission is to “Collect, ship and distribute mobility devices.” Now if you’ve visited Hegedorn’s Market in Webster, you might have noticed a large plastic barrel near the store’s main entrance. On that barrel is a sign “CRUTCHES 4 AFRICA.” Maybe you’ve seen a couple of pairs of crutches, or a walker or two in the bin, ready to travel. Here’s their story. e whole Crutches 4 Africa operation was started by David Talbot of Boulder, Colorado. Talbot endured polio as a child. He recovered, a er surgery and much rehabilitation and exercise. Although he became an athlete in high school and college, he always remembered that painful illness. Dave traveled internationally, and as he traveled, he realized, as many travelers do, that Americans enjoyed so much. It’s scandalous what we throw away. Dave saw a need, especially in Africa, and took action to make a di erence. Medical mobility equipment was, and continues to be, in great demand to improve the lives of so many people with temporary or lifelong disabilities as well as many victims of accidents or war or illness. In 2018, Rich Comins attended an International Rotary conference in Toronto. Rich and Talbot met, and a series of conversations ensued. e next thing you know, as Rich tells the story, “Phil Smith visited the Webster chapter and presented an informational program about Crutches 4 Africa. e Ontario and Walworth clubs had already begun because of the discussion between Mark Wyse and myself in Toronto. I later presented to the Greece Rotary where Bill & Helen Gormont joined in the cause.” All agreed this was a worthwhile project. ey began collecting, storing, and shipping a wide array of mobility devices all around the world. In addition to the African continent, equipment has now been shipped to Mexico and Mongolia, El Salvador, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, ailand, Guatemala, and even Christmas Island. Merry Christmas, Christmas Islanders! Donations come from individuals, nursing homes, loan closets, hospitals, and other organizations with access to “used but usable” mobility devices. e items are inspected rst, and minor repairs are made if necessary, before the devices are bundled and batched for shipment overseas. is involves the work of many hands, and a periodic run across the PA border with a trailer full of donations. Shipping containers are then procured, and the items are delivered to their destinations. Importantly, according to Rich, “the equipment is never given to a government; items go directly to individuals in need, and always free of charge.” How many? “Over 171,000 items shipped (and lives changed)!” according to their website. When winter releases her icy grip, and shipping containers become available (right now, they’re at a premium), three containers worth are ready to go. “Hopefully we’ll make shipments this April, May, and June,” said Rich. Rich also passed along the following tips for those wishing to donate: 1. Don’t toss; DONATE, please! Your donation will change a life. 2. “Used but Usable” equipment only please; minor repairs are OK. 3. No electric scooters, please. e infrastructure elsewhere is not what we have at home. 4. Free pick up is available for larger donations of equipment. Aside from donations of equipment, Crutches 4 Africa welcomes cash contributions. Additionally, if a generous neighbor nearby has a storage space available, Crutches 4 Africa would greatly appreciate the use of it. Ideally, such a space would be 400 sq. . or larger, secure, accessible, and safe from the weather (no leaks). As a 501(c)(3) organization, receipts for donations are available to donors. Crutches 4 Africa is responsible for so many stories, so many lives touched and improved, all thanks to a brilliant idea, teamwork, and dedication. Please consider joining this international team. ose wishing to donate may call Rich Comins at (585) 899-9336 or email him at richecomins@gmail.com. To make a cash donation, read about the organization’s history, and view recipient testimonials check out the Crutches 4 Africa at www.crutches4africa.org.

Rich Comins of Webster (right) is dedicated to helping Crutches 4 Africa reach those in need of mobility devices. Crutches 4 Africa helps children like this young boy stay mobile! In addition to the African continent, equipment has now been shipped to Mexico and Mongolia, El Salvador, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Thailand, Guatemala, and even Christmas Island.

Enjoy this article? Check out this week’s other great story online at www.gvpennysaver.com: • Looking for R&R in the Finger Lakes? Visit Naples! Love to write? You could earn CASH when you share your original story, personal experience, community happening or school event with us! It may be featured on our popular website for all to see and even selected for print! Go to My Hometown at www.gvpennysaver.com or email our Hometown Editor Amanda Dudek at AmandaDudek@gvpennysaver.com!