The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
A CLEAN SWEEP
PITCH In program, local business unite to help resident
The Perry Village PITCH In program joined forces with a local business on May 24, and spruced up the exterior of a home for a resident who couldn’t do the work himself because of health issues and financial constraints.
PITCH In, a community help program, secured the assistance of Firefighter Pressure Washing to perform a project that was requested by Doug Campbell of Leisurewood Lane in the village.
Firefighter Pressure Washing donated its time and services to pressure-wash Campbell’s house, driveway and sidewalk, and clean the gutters of his residence.
Campbell, who is 73 years old and has multiple sclerosis, had filled out a PITCH In application, asking if that same work could be done by the group’s volunteers. PITCH In functions exclusively with unpaid leaders and helpers.
Campbell, during an interview on May 24, said that multiple sclerosis, which he has had since 2010, has diminished his strength and mobility for doing home maintenance.
“I can’t get up on ladders,” he said. “About all I can do is mow my grass.”
PITCH In, which was established about 2 1/2 years ago, strives to fulfill requests from residents who need help performing tasks or chores inside and outside of their homes. Eligible village residents have received help with tasks such mowing and yard maintenance; snow shoveling; and walking a dog.
PITCH In Administrative Committee Chairman Rick Walker said he conducts an initial assessment of all requested projects, to see if they realistically can be done. After visiting Campbell’s residence, he realized that group volunteers would have to work from ladders to reach the upper portions of the house.
“When I saw this, I thought, ‘Oh, I’m not sure if this is within the scope of our volunteers and our skill levels,’ ” said Walker, who
also serves on Perry Village Council.
He then had a conversation about the project with Carmen Tibaldi, a Perry Joint Fire District firefighter and PITCH In Committee member. Tibaldi mentioned that fellow firefighter Josh McBride also owned an enterprise called Firefighter Pressure Washing.
During that same conversation, Walker said he remembered calling McBride to pressure-wash his own business, Walker Floors and Window Fashions in Perry Township.
“So we approached Josh and talked to him about the project, and then he graciously volunteered to come out and help,” Walker said.
McBride said he’s owned and operated the company for three years. He gained an additional three years of experience in the field by previously working for another pressure-washing business.
Participating in the endeavor was a way of demonstrating that Perry firefighters enjoy helping out the community, whether they’re on or off duty, McBride said.
Assisting McBride at Campbell’s house was Dylan Oberlin, an employee at the business and a Perry Township firefighter. Oberlin said he also found it rewarding to help with the PITCH In initiative.
“I love it,” he said. “It’s awesome.”
Campbell, who has lived at his Leisurewood Lane home for 30 years, said he learned about the PITCH In program through an article in the Perry Bulletin Board newsletter.
This newsletter is produced by Perry Township government on a quarterly basis. It contains information on government entities and nonprofit organizations, and announcement on community events throughout the Perry area.
As the project took place, Campbell expressed his gratitude to both Walker as leader and Firefighter Pressure Washing.
“I really appreciate everything that these guys are doing to help me,” he said.