BY MATT MACKINDER
Clarkston News Editor

The upcoming weekend, April 23-24, will be a milestone one for My Habitat Clarkston as the organization is back with its Community Impact Weekend, celebrating its 10th year of collaboration working under the auspices of Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County.
Community Impact Weekend occurs every spring and fall (the last full weekend in April and the first full weekend in November) and is a community-led initiative with efforts from Clarkston Independence District Library, Calvary Lutheran Church, Clarkston Community Church, Waypoint Church, and My Habitat Clarkston as well as many other local non-profit organizations, businesses, churches, and schools.
“This weekend is only made possible through the helping hands of our community,” said Kellee Rainoldi, a Community Impact Weekend planning team member. “Community Impact Weekend is designed to bring people of all walks of life together to make a difference and anyone can serve.”
The goal of Community Impact Weekend is to connect local businesses, community groups, churches, and non-profit organizations in service to the community. Volunteers work on projects that serve area veterans, low-income neighbors and senior citizens, those with special needs, non-profit organizations, food pantries, local schools, and many others in the Clarkston area.
The weekend consists of varying projects such as minor home repairs facilitated by Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County, raking and bagging leaves for seniors, community garden prep, and so much more.
The event includes indoor and outdoor projects for all ages and abilities.
This year not only marks 10 historical years but also the most amount of volunteer projects the leaders have ever seen. According to Rainoldi, they have over 600 volunteer spots this spring.
“We’re excited to be back in full force serving our community after these past two years of hardship and restriction,” Rainoldi said. “It’s truly incredible the impact one weekend can have.”
Spring Community Impact Weekend will also honor the memory of Mark Kelly and State Rep. Andrea Schroeder, two local residents who recently passed away.
To volunteer or for more information, visit communityimpactweekend.org.

PHOTO: From left, Kathy Noble, Kate Heierman, Marilyn Craft, Nathan Heierman, and Jen Krausman take part in the 2018 Community Impact Weekend. File photo