Leadership McKinney Class supports Make a Difference Day
               
McKinney, Texas – When Lena Terrell left her home Saturday morning dozens of strangers were carrying her belongings out onto the lawn.  She looked upon the chaotic sight with a smile on her face and excitement in her heart.  She had been looking forward to this day when her cozy, but well-worn home she shares with her grown son, Chris, would receive the care it had needed through the City of McKinney’s H.E.A.R.T.H. program and Volunteer McKinney’s “Make a Difference Day.” 
               
Sunday evening, the wheelchair-bound Ms. Terrell returned to find her home had been transformed.   There was new carpet, new paint, a new ceiling to provide protection from the rain, a renovated bathroom and even a new kitchen sink.  But more beautiful than all the rest was a shiny new water heater to warm the cold water that had greeted her each morning.  It was signed with caring messages by all of the volunteers.
               
The 2009-2010 Class of Leadership McKinney, a leadership training program of the McKinney Chamber of Commerce, spent Saturday and Sunday making over Ms. Terrell’s home as part of the Volunteer McKinney Center’s “Make a Difference Day” program.  McKinney’s Mayor, Brian Loughmiller arrived in the morning to show support and help get the days activities started. The extensive home renovation included drywall repairs, painting, flooring, landscaping, deep cleaning and making safety improvements to the wheelchair ramp and other areas in and around the home. 

A total of 63 volunteers, including Leadership McKinney classmates, their spouses, children, co-workers and friends, rallied for the cause.  In all, the volunteers worked 508 hours in two days on the home, and the class has committed to continue with additional repairs over the next seven months, including additional fundraising and volunteer efforts to repair the driveway for easier wheelchair access and other critical areas of needed home improvements.

Leadership McKinney began in 1988 as a community leadership development program sponsored by the McKinney Chamber of Commerce. The objective is to provide McKinney with a diverse group of individuals, representing all sectors of our community, who are committed to assuming a greater responsibility for the future of McKinney through leadership and service.  For additional information, contact Deb Fitzgerald at 972.542.0163.

The McKinney Chamber of Commerce is an advocate and voice for the McKinney business community. The Chamber represents over 39,000 employees from approximately 1,200 business investors in the McKinney and North Texas region.  It serves as the unified business voice for McKinney. With a rich heritage of leadership and collaboration, the Chamber works in partnership with the City of McKinney and the corporate community to promote, advocate for and expand business in the city and further develop and market McKinney’s advantages as a premier location for doing business. 

For more information about the Chamber contact 972-542-0163, info@mckinneychamber.com, or www.mckinneychamber.com.