Every Wednesday morning, three participants of the Arc’s East Henrietta day program raise money for Ronald McDonald House. Together with two staff, they remove about 1,500 tabs each week from aluminum cans at Recycling Makes Sense, a new business on Jefferson Road in Henrietta.
These aluminum tabs are worth money, but the experience is priceless for everyone, even the business owner.
“This is good stuff,” said Larry Kinsella. “It’s an awesome project. They’ve come in every Wednesday morning since October. They enjoy it. We get to visit. I learn a lot from these guys and I’m grateful to them for coming over.”
“After the first week, everyone that went came back on almost a “high” of how much fun it was and how great the guys are there,” said Stephanie Spring, day program manager.
Stephanie Wagner, speech pathologist, thinks that the welcoming owner and the group’s camaraderie are the main reasons everyone looks forward to Wednesdays. “It’s more personalized here than if we were recycling somewhere else. We can chat and get to meet people.”
Keith Wright, Andrew Daughtry and Joshua Fayko work hard but take time to enjoy themselves also. They talk (Andrew signs) about the upcoming holidays as they bend and break the tabs off. Each wears an apron and rubber gloves as they work, with Larry emptying the bags as they are filled. At one point, Joshua asks him for his autograph. Larry proudly displays a framed photo of the group that they gave to him recently as a thank-you for his hospitality.
The group gives back to the community in other ways as well, said Heather Wright, medical technician. “We volunteer for the town of Chili by cleaning the firehouses. We pick up cans and bottles at the Chili ambulance. We also volunteer for Meals on Wheels.”
It is easy to see how much they all enjoy volunteering. Larry’s mother, who also works at the center, sees the enjoyment every week. “They do a wonderful job. We’re really proud of them,” said Mrs. Kinsella.
Larry is so proud that he has devoted many postings on his business’s Facebook page to the group and what they have come to mean to him in just a few months…
“If only I could explain to everybody how special the Arc of Monroe’s clients are to me I would, but words cannot express everything….I must say, they are my kindest customers.”