Undeterred

In the past year, we have, on occasion, done two moves on successive days; rarely we have done more than one move in one day; but only once before have we done a move on one day and two moves the next.

Challenging, you may say — but add to the mix that the moves had to be done on Memorial Day weekend while most of our volunteers were away, and you wonder just how dedicated our gang is. But wait. Add that it rained both days, and you would be right to have doubts. However, none of it was a problem for our crew.

The Friday move came up suddenly (again, the County believes we can do anything), so Jimmy put out the call and a crew came together. It was a mother and a teenage boy (who, fortunately, was an able lifter). Jack Gibala, Cindy Pozluszny, Joe and Mary Ferrante, Eithne Ellis and Marian Moriarity all stepped up and got it done. The best news is, Sheila Jones returned to the fold after a several-week absence.

Saturday, we had two. One close by on Hewitt Ave near the storage unit — a mother and two children (boy 4 and a girl 6); the other out in Gaithersburg — a mother and two girls (8 and 9).

Jack Gibala came back, as did Joe and Mary Ferrante. Eithne Ellis also came back, this time with her husband Brendan in tow (more on him later). Marian Moriarity also came and brought Pat, her husband. That crew was joined by Don Butcher and Phil Burroughs. We didn’t have enough to split into two crews, so we did both moves — and did them quickly and efficiently.

I mentioned newbie Brendan Ellis, an engineer by trade (recently retired, though do engineers ever really retire?). He saw us struggling with the television hookup, immediately diagnosed our problem and fixed it for us. By the time we left, it was working fine. I almost missed newbie Pat Moriarity. He fit in with the veterans so seamlessly, I would never have taken him for a rookie. Both will be valued additions to our moves in the future.

Our Toy and Book Committee came up large, by the way. Nancy Burgess hosted a party at her house and asked attendees to bring something for the OTS children. We are still tallying the haul, but it was a lot. Those items are a huge addition to what we do. During the second move, while we were hauling furniture in, I noticed the 9-year-old girl dig into the toy and book bag. She found a book that interested her, and before we could get her a chair, she sat out of the way against the wall and started reading.

We have some clients in process, but none immediately. These are the ones that were moved in some weeks ago that nobody told us about. Our Preview team will contact them and get a list of wants and needs, and we will set a schedule. More on that as it develops.

We are also closing in on dates for an event at Manor in honor of all volunteers who have gone on the moves over the past year. It will be a little reception, a little education and a lot of camaraderie. Watch that space.

I hope everyone overcame the weather to have a great Memorial Day. I know three families that enjoyed theirs in newly furnished homes, thanks to you.

Thanks to all. See the rest of you soon.