Our Mission: Create Opportunities for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and their Families to Participate Fully in the Community

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Masons Make a DifferenceMay 5, 2022

 

When the same group steps forward many times to give their time and physical effort to help make things better, you know their values go deeper than words. We are blessed and grateful that the Masons’ friendship includes DDRC and helping to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities.


In late April, Masons from the Marquis de Lafayette Lodge #41 and Denver Lodge #5 spent two entire Saturdays cleaning and sprucing up the yard of the DDRC “Lamar” residential group home in Lakewood. The property is home to about 8 people served by DDRC’s Quality Living Options program. Given that April is volunteer month, their timing was perfect.

 

The Masons efforts were transformational! Wielding rakes, trimmers, clippers and paint brushes they got to work. They gave tall deck pillars a fresh coat of protective paint. They cut and cleared away debris from many overgrown and dead bushes. They raked up remnants of winter leaves and fallen twigs to reveal emerging spring grass, and they trimmed-up tree limbs to provide a space underneath to enjoy a spot of shade. Moving all that debris was no easy task as the yard is on a steep slope, so it was a lot of climbing up and down the hill. The final stack of branches stood more than 7 feet high and was at least twice as wide.



Steve Jimenez, DDRC’s Facilities Director was there to help and provide tools and direction for the project. Upon its completion he said, “This was incredible and such a huge help!” “It was our pleasure,” the Masons responded, demonstrating their gracious and humble character.

 

Our sincere thanks to Mason Grant Sanders, who spearheaded the effort, along with his fellow Masons Bill Busby, Bryan Kemper, Lawrence Laurent, Johann Ortner, and Justin Washnieksi, all of the Marquis de Lafayette Lodge #41, Conner Gould of Denver Lodge #5, and Jon Vande Riet, general volunteer and Grant's son-in law.