Thank you to community as it pulls together in time of need!

by Sara Swanson and Marsha Chartrand

In cases of widespread destruction and damage, smaller communities are oftentimes on their own while larger population centers with the greatest density of people (as well as hospitals) are first in line for getting power restored, and major thruways are ahead of county roads for getting trees and limbs cleared. This was the case when the worst ice storm in 50 years hit southern Michigan, with the most ice accumulation centered on Washtenaw County. Manchester area residents stepped up and helped each other out while we waited for the road commission, Detroit Edison, and Consumers, all of whom service the Manchester area as the line between the utility service areas bisects Manchester. 

Institutions and businesses with heat and power, like the Manchester District Library, Caife Aspire, Sweet Leilani’s, and Village Hair Forum, offered up their buildings for community members to come get warm and charge their electronics. Manchester Township Hall, running off a generator itself, opened as a daytime shelter. Manchester Market, also running off of a generator, worked with Consumers Energy to host a free, warm community breakfast. Family members, neighbors, and strangers worked together to clear roads, sidewalks, and driveways of fallen trees and branches with chainsaws, clippers, and determination. Community members offered to fill water jugs for strangers and cook warm meals if needed, and in the face of three unexpected days off from school, opened homes up for playdates. 

From the Mirror, thank you to everyone who came forward, lent a hand, and saw someone in need and helped! We know that we only saw a fraction of the help and good deeds happening so we are giving everyone the opportunity to put a “thank you” in next week’s edition of the Mirror. Thank the line workers, a specific neighbor, or a stranger who helped you out! Email us at themanchestermirror@gmail.com, message us using Facebook Messenger, or call us at (734) 328-1386 and leave a voice mail before Sunday, March 5, and we‘ll include it in a big “Thank You” the following week.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.