Team orientation in Cleveland went on without a hitch. Thursday was boring policy and procedure which was topped with a very interesting alcohol and safety training; I'm still trying to burn those brain cells.Friday was a different tone. Jim Karliveck, owner of Karliveck construction company (he's original) is a alumnus of my fraternity from Bohler Green University and was the first project manager for the Journey of Hope ride back in the late 70's. He the boss around Cleveland and is heading up the planning and establishment of the Build America team orientation. He got our dorms donated from Case Western University, food from Trader Joe's and various restaurants and also tickets for the Rock and Roll hall of fame. Most importantly, he planned a tool workshop for our teammates at one of his subcontractor's places. He and a handful of his employees taught an interactive workshop about power tools and etc. (for all the lad's who choose to miss out on wood shop in high school and pursue science in college). This worked out great not only for developing some of our learning members but for me finding where we might have some safety issues (which apparently I'm responsible for now: i.e. safety program). Everything went great and at the least I got to get some of my new shinny tools a little scuffed up.
Despite entering the parking garage and finding a crack in the rear left tail light and scuff on our vans bumper, oh! and also that on of the automatic side doors won't open, even manually, it was still a great day (see yeah security deposit). Saturday the 27th has been my favorite day of the trip thus far (we'll see how long it lasts).We took a trip the the Cleveland Special Needs Clinic for children and got to kick it with a few tots.
First we were given a tour of the facility and then introduced to some of the kids. My favorite was this five year old boy named Elisiah. He has no use of his legs and a spinal development condition - he also loves racing. The nurses decorated his wheelchair as a race car and got him a hate that has the pit crew head set stuff on it. He was absolutely adorable. All he wanted to do was race up and down the little concrete paths outside the clinic so several guys and I grabbed what we could find and put together a course for him. He's was pretty quick and still holds an undisputed 25-0 record. I also met a little two year old guy named JR who had Epilepsy; I still need to find a photo of him and I.
First we were given a tour of the facility and then introduced to some of the kids. My favorite was this five year old boy named Elisiah. He has no use of his legs and a spinal development condition - he also loves racing. The nurses decorated his wheelchair as a race car and got him a hate that has the pit crew head set stuff on it. He was absolutely adorable. All he wanted to do was race up and down the little concrete paths outside the clinic so several guys and I grabbed what we could find and put together a course for him. He's was pretty quick and still holds an undisputed 25-0 record. I also met a little two year old guy named JR who had Epilepsy; I still need to find a photo of him and I.
Later in the day we traveled to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland. It was gorgeous outside and strolling around town was nice. The museum was really well done but it's too bad that no one got my memo that I don't care anything about rock and roll history. I apologize to anyone who would have enjoyed it.
That evening after we settled down at the dorms a few of took the train to Jacobs Field in Cleveland and watched the Indians take on Tampa Bay. Home team won but it was mostly just nice to get a couple beers and kick it with my new friends.
Sunday morning came sooner than expected and we were on the road to Stongsville, OH to our first camp: Camp Cheerful. The place seems like nice facility but they are a little unprepared for our services. Their maintenance shop is sub par but I think we can get everything they requested done. Our primary projects consist of demolition of a small dock, grading a new gravel pathway around their high ropes course and relocating there low ropes course near the high one; all which look pretty fun. I'll have more updates on those projects tomorrow.
We also got to meet some of the campers that are here for the forth of July week. This is supposed to be a big week for them because most establishments don't take their people to see fireworks shows on the fourth as where Camp Cheerful does. This is also an (well mainly) adults with special needs only week. At dinner my friend Andy from Virginia Tech and I sat next to this old guy named Bob who had a hard time eating his pizza but managed to slam down seven glasses of fruit punch; pretty hilarious.
I need to get more sleep this week. All work and play make me a tired pi kapp.
No comments:
Post a Comment