Mr. Handyman donates repairs to Chicago Lighthouse

September 22, 10:35 AMChicago Philanthropy ExaminerKaryn Brianne Watkins

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On the 8th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the country marked the first National Day of Service and Remembrance, and people nationwide lent their time to various community projects. Here in Chicago, Gary Rich, owner of the Mr. Handyman location in Lincoln Park, rallied his technicians to provide repairs, valued at $3500, to The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired (1850 W. Roosevelt).

The Mr. Handyman franchise asked each location to lend its services to a local organization in recognition the National Day of Service. More than 300 locations in the US and Canada strived to donate over 800 hours of service last week. Mr. Rich, who often donates services as part of charity auctions, chose The Chicago Lighthouse for this project due to his personal relationship with the organization. Rich describes this collaboration as a “natural partnership.”

“I had eye problems years ago, and was introduced to the Lighthouse programs and services at that time,” he explains. He maintained his support of the organization, becoming a donor and attending many events. Mr. Rich and his employees are repairing two key areas, a kitchen in the school and the adult living skills room. The school, within the Lighthouse building, provides day services for children ages 3-21. The adult living skills program helps teach blind and developmentally challenged individuals the essential skills for independent living. The adult instruction room serviced by the Mr. Handyman crew contains a washing machine, a dryer, microwaves, and more. “This room helps them learn skills that you and I take for granted,” says Dominic Calabrese, Director of Public Relations for The Chicago Lighthouse.

For the past 103 years, the Chicago Lighthouse for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired has been focused on providing educational, clinical, vocational, and advocacy services and programs for those individuals of all ages who are blind or visually impaired, not just in Chicago but nationwide. To learn more about The Chicago Lighthouse, please visit their website at www.thechicagolighthouse.org.