Elderly volunteers help family with special needs children

When 88-year-old Mary Young, of Freeland, showed up to help All Hands Volunteers with flood cleanup efforts in Warren, officials encouraged her to do some office work.

She refused.

Instead, she ripped out overhead drywall, swept the floor and assisted any way she could.

Young joined a team to help Chad and Denise Flinders, of Warren, and their six children, five of whom have special needs, clean their basement. The Flinders had 18 inches of water pour into their 1,000 square- foot home that they have owned for 15 years, destroying two bedrooms, winter clothes, a freezer, a refrigerator and more.

Chad, who has a bone disorder, couldn’t cleanup himself and didn’t know what to do. The family asked for help on social media and received an overwhelming response, leading to the All Hands Volunteers team providing assistance.

“I couldn’t believe it. We were so blessed. I’m so thankful. I wish there were more people in the world like them. The world would be a much better place,” Denise said.

Young shrugged off her volunteer efforts. She volunteered after two other disasters and wanted to assist in a third, especially because it was in her home state.

“Everyone should do it at least one day,” Young said.

Young wasn’t even the oldest volunteer on her team. A 95-year-old man also assisted in cleanup efforts. Also at Young’s side was her son, Marc Young, who wasn’t sure if his mother was up for the physical demand.

“We weren’t sure how much she would be able to work, but it was her idea,” Marc said. “It’s an awesome thing to do as a family.”

Mary not only was up for the work, she helped clean up nearly all day long and her efforts didn’t go unnoticed.

“It was phenomenal,” Chad Flinders said. “We are forever thankful.”

Volunteers are still needed to help southeast Michigan residents clean up damaged homes after the Aug. 11 torrential rain and flooding. Volunteers can sign up by going to semichiganflood.givegab.com or calling 2-1-1.