TimeBank marks official launch May 17

LAPEER — It’s all about community — people helping people. The Lapeer County TimeBank is officially launching after a successful trial run. Tuesday, May 17, the community is invited to come and learn all about the on-line project and get signed up. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Lapeer Campus of Mott Community College in the computer lab.

The TimeBank is a system designed to connect people who are looking for work with others who need some work done. Under the TimeBank concept, people have a place to go online to offer services or to find people who can do the work they need done. Members give and receive services in exchange for TimeBank hours.

Organizer Paul St. Louis of the Community House of Hope says the test phase has gone well. “People have already signed up, and people have already been helped,” says St. Louis.

One TimeBank member had septic system issues and didn’t know where to turn. Through the TimeBank, they were able to get the plumbing assistance they needed.

A senior citizen with arthritis found someone who can help with dishes and laundry.

St. Louis said there are people online right now offering services like spring house cleaning, light yard work, cooking meals for individuals, and even digital scrapbooking and genealogy help.

St. Louis suggests that people might want to be thinking about their talents, hobbies, and areas of expertise they would be willing to share with neighbors, as well as areas they could use some help.

“They can be creative,” he encourages. “People might be able to find help in areas they had never even thought about before.”

“We are enthusiastic. We’re seeing people from all areas.... Lapeer, North Branch, Columbiaville, Davison, Silverwood... It’s all over. We’re excited about it,” says St. Louis.

He anticipates that the Lapeer County TimeBank will quickly soar to the top of the state’s 30 TimeBanks because there is so much community cooperation. Even before its official launch, Lapeer County’s is the 14th largest TimeBank in the state. “Our goal by the end of May is 60 members,” said St. Louis.

“It looks like we’ll be the largest TimeBank in the state,” said organizer Cheryl Clark.

St. Louis and Clark will be at Tuesday’s launch event along with Jody Kerbyson and staff from ThumbWorks! to help people get signed up. Members of a number of different supporting agencies will be there as well. St. Louis reports that Kim Hodge, president of the Michigan Time Bank Alliance plans to attend as well.

“People are just looking at it and they’re saying this is a great thing,” said St. Louis.

Whatever your skills and abilities, it’s an opportunity to lend a hand and get some help where you need it, too. You should have a current email account to become a member. Even if you don’t, St. Louis encourages you to come anyway to find out how you can participate.

For more information, St. Louis can be reached at 810-441-0322, or call ThumbWorks! at 810-664-1680. Online, check out www.timebanks.org and www.mitimebanks.org.