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Local project benefits from Comcast Cares Day
By Deborah Sederberg
Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, May 1, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — The new boardwalk to the edge of Lake Michigan will be helpful to people who use wheelchairs.
”And for people using walkers and for parents with children in strollers,” said Joe Coar, Tonn & Blank vice president of operations.
”And for people wheeling coolers down to the beach,” Police Chief Mark Swistek added. “I’ve been down here on beach patrol, and I’ve seen people sitting on top of their coolers in the sand. When we ask if they’re all right, they usually tell us they had been trying to get the cooler through the sand, ‘but I had to take a rest.’ “
Coar and Swistek were among the 600 volunteers working Saturday at Michigan City Senior Center and throughout Washington Park, including Washington Park Zoo, on Comcast Cares Day. Some helpers were Comcast employees and others, like Coar and Swistek, were community members.
According to a Senior Center press release, Comcast Cares Day is the company’s annual day of service in which tens of thousands of Comcast employees, along with their families and friends, volunteer in their local communities.
Retired attorney Patrick Donoghue spent some time Saturday sweeping sand. Chuckling, Donoghue poked a little fun at himself.
”This just goes to show you what four years of college and three years of law school will get you,” he said.
Donoghue retired as attorney to the park board.
Boards for the boardwalk were cut at Tonn & Blank, and other work was completed at American Auto Body even before the various parts arrived at the beach. Coar said members of the Exchange Club of Michigan City and Guard Riders were out in force Saturday.
Guard Rider member Greg Lutz said the group includes people who have joined forces “to support the troops, to support veterans and to support those less fortunate.”
Many members enjoy riding motorcycles, he added.