The Rochelle community is known to lend a hand to another in need.
A recent project is not only a reminder of that, but also the notion that people in small towns really do have big hearts.
With paintbrushes, power equipment, shovels, and good old-fashioned hard work, several community members came together last weekend to help Rochelle resident Ellen Chandler.
From power-washing the home’s exterior and giving a fresh coat of paint to planting flowers and new patio furniture, the group helped brighten Chandler’s day to say the least.
“I was flabbergasted…just floored and completely wowed 20 times over,” Chandler beamed. “When I came out of my home to see what was going on and then I saw my classmates putting together the patio furniture, I was completely blown away.”
From a series of events, beginning with surviving a shooting, Chandler is now disabled and cannot complete yard work and necessary maintenance on her home. Through social media Chandler reached out to a friend and classmate in May who contacted Danae White, Rochelle Township High School teacher and Key Club advisor.
Springing into action, White and the Key Club crew volunteered their time to help with the yard cleanup along with planting flowers, weeding, and placing mulch. Kiwanis Golden K member Dennis Swinton took on the job of mowing and still regularly visits each week to do so.
It was not long after when Chandler received a notice with an August 1 deadline that she needed to have her trailer power washed. Not having any alternatives, she contacted White.
Knowing the Key Club students would not be allowed to use power tools, White sent out a request for volunteers to the members of RTHS Class of 1987. (The group will be having their 30-year class reunion this fall; therefore, a Facebook page had already been created).

That’s when the responses came pouring in, not only from local classmates.
“We had great ideas coming from all over the country with classmates volunteering to start a ‘Go Fund Me’ page or have a fundraiser at our reunion that would directly benefit Ellen’s needs,” White said. “Many knew they could not physically help due to geographical and time limitations, but so many classmates volunteered to send money for plants, shutters, paint, etc.”

Combined effort
Several organizations, along with the volunteers, made this project possible including the paint and supplies donated by Do It Best Hardware and Costa Pizza for feeding the crew.
Volunteers include:  Members of the Class of 1987 — Danae White, Susie Vincent, Rhonda Powell, Michelle Marcum, Karl Ortscheid, Doug Lockard, Robin Costa, Ellen Chandler, Danny White from Class of 1982; RTHS Key Club members Ashley Ackerman and Jason McQuilliam; Kiwanis Golden K member Dennis Swinton.
“I was looking for ‘manpower’ to get a task done and as it turns out, we had as much heart in this project as we had hands! Good karma was all around us that day…as always it made me so proud to be a Hub,” White beamed. “I think by the smile on Ellen’s face, she knows she is loved by the Class of ’87.”
Chandler still faces many medical challenges, including an ill-fitting prosthesis. Through it all she remains positive and counsels others from her experiences at the “school of hard knocks” and the issues she has endured since childhood. Basically homebound most of the time, Chandler knows her talks with people do make a difference in others.
“I give them something to think about. Every once in awhile I will hear that my talk with them really changed them. I am a survivor, molested as a child, been through sexual assault,” Chandler reflected. “If I can make them understand yeah it might not be good now but you have the ability to right your wrongs…only you can change your world.”
Expressing gratitude for all those who have helped, Chandler knows how it is to be in a tough situation.
“Pay it forward. When you see that person on the street, don’t expect anything. Give it forward, smile, the shake of a hand, a nod, ask if they need help. That type of stuff in this community will go a long way.”