Page 12 - The Wayne Dispatch

Lenny Powell and family get things done

By Carolyn Marnon vendors who stay during the concert
April is National Volunteer selling their wares and refreshments
Month. Although there are many res- thanks to the hard work of Lenny.
idents throughout Wayne who give Not everything they do is organ-
freely of their time to various organi- ized by themselves. Lenny and
zations and activities, one resident Christi have also volunteered with
has stood out recently. Wayne Main Street. Last fall, they
Although Lenny Powell grew up in helped at a poker tournament
Westland, he did attend and gradu- fundraiser. “We had so much fun
ate from Wayne Memorial High doing it,” says Christi.
School. Since 2010, Lenny and his Christi is on Wayne’s Parks and
wife, Christi, have lived in Wayne. Trails Committee. She is in charge of
Tired of the negativity that Taft, Forest and Rotary II parks.
seemed to permeate the city, they de- Lenny plans on donating a corn
cided that if there was something hole board to the fire department for
they didn’t like, they were going to their charity BBQ in June. “I can’t
change it. They began with organiz- say enough about the fire depart-
ing vendor shows at HYPE Athletics ment,” he says. Christi adds, “We
Western Wayne about three years have the best fire department
ago. They did approximately six around, honestly.”
shows, starting with 8 vendors, grow- Their advice to others thinking of
ing each time until they had to move volunteering? “Try anything you
the event to the basketball courts to The Powell’s, Christi (wife), Felicia (daughter) and Lenny. want and get involved with others,”
accommodate 52 vendors. They are recommends Lenny. Says Christi, “If
not currently doing the shows due to He said Firefighter Jason Reeves is a individual marshmallows donated there’s something you like, it doesn’t
health reasons. caterer and helped cook items. The by Fresh Choice so the event could matter what it is, get out there and
Last fall, Lenny set up a raffle of event was so successful, they were continue. do it. Get involved with Wayne Main
a corn hole set with the proceeds asked to do a Christmas dinner that He was instrumental in the Hal- Street if you don’t want to be in the
going toward making Thanksgiving was attended by about 125 residents. loween Walk starting in 2017. He public eye. Just do it. Be the change.”
baskets for the schools. People do- Lenny says Wayne Towers has 152 was able to find businesses and indi- Lenny continues, “If you see some-
nated so many turkeys and other units. Lenny and Christi are cur- viduals willing to donate 6-10 bags thing wrong, change it. Just get in-
food items to use. rently collecting donations for an of candy, or more, to give out to kids. volved. You don’t have to go through
During this time, Lenny was con- Easter dinner being held on April 20. That event drew more people than hoops. I don’t do it for credit. I do it
tacted by a lady who lived at Wayne Lenny has done restaurant was ever expected. to make a change.” He speaks about
Tower; the activities director had fundraisers for the police and fire de- Because a resident asked for it, how he doesn’t always know who to
just left; she was wondering if there partments. $300 that was raised for Lenny found someone to come to call or what to do, but he gets on the
was anything Lenny could do to help the police department was matched Wayne and speak for an Autism phone and just starts. “You learn by
at the Towers. twice: once by City Manager Lisa No- Awareness Forum held last month at trying things,” he says.
That contact led to the organiza- cerini and once by resident Vern HYPE. Christi says she went to “People need to get involved. If
tion of a Thanksgiving meal for the Amos. school for social work and was a you see something you want to
residents at Wayne Towers. 85 resi- In 2017, there was not going to be para-pro in Wayne-Westland schools. change, get involved and change it.”
dents showed up to dine on the fine a Marshmallow Drop in Wayne be- She worked with autistic kids in the If you would like to speak with
food that was donated by community cause there was no longer a sponsor elementary schools and has friends Lenny about an idea, you can call
members. Lenny says firefighters to help fund it. Through Mayor John with autistic children. him at (734) 776-6519 or email him
helped cook turkeys at the fire sta- Rhaesa and Mayor Pro Tem Tom The summer Concerts in the at LennyPowell0822@gmail.com.
tion and then brought the food over. Porter, Lenny was able to get 15000 Park event at Goudy Park has had He says he will help anyway he can.

12 · April 2019 · The Wayne Dispatch