LaVigne ready to wrangle volunteers for Rebuilding Together

Brown volunteers will hoist paintbrushes, hammers and shovels to refurbish the Fox Point Boys and Girls Club on April 24

by Kristen Cole

When Brown employee Robert LaVigne missed the first planning meeting for a house renovation project, in his absence the other volunteers elected him to lead it.

But after that year, LaVigne (left), Brown's manager of structural trades, willingly signed up for the annual responsibility. And 10 years later, on April 24, he will manage the team of Brown volunteers refurbishing the Fox Point Boys and Girls Club.

"See what happens when you don't make a meeting," said LaVigne with a laugh. "After the first year, I realized I enjoyed it very much and continued doing it."

LaVigne is one of the members of the Brown community who has donated time to Rebuilding Together - the organization formerly known as Christmas in April - since it began. One day each year volunteers around the nation rehabilitate low-income homes and community buildings at no cost to the owners.

At Fox Point Boys and Girls Club, Brown volunteers will hoist paintbrushes, hammers and shovels to refurbish the child care room, computer room, gymnasium, locker room, kitchen, restrooms and common space, and landscape the property. Faculty, staff and students will meet at about 8 that morning at the Olney Margolies Athletic Center and carpool to the Boys and Girls Club at 90 Ives St.

The project is sponsored by the University. In addition to LaVigne, Michelle Ross of the Department of Psychology and a member of the Staff Advisory Committee (SAC) is managing the project.

"Brown is an integral part of the community and a long-time partner in Rebuilding Providence," said President Simmons, who has endorsed the project. "I am pleased that this year we are able to work on a project right here in Fox Point. The Boys and Girls Club is so important in this community, and this is just one more facet of the relationship that we have built with the club."

Started 89 years ago, the Fox Point Boys and Girls Club offers an array of social, educational, vocational, citizenship and leadership development, as well as health and fitness programs. It has been at its present location for the past 28 years and is in need of maintenance, repairs and landscaping.

More than 400 children ages 6 through 17 use the facility, many on a daily basis. The club also houses the local senior citizens center, a branch of the Providence Ambulatory Health Center and a branch of the Providence Public Library./p>

After volunteers complete work on the club, they can join volunteers from all the projects around the city at a celebration at Waterplace Park in downtown Providence.

Rebuilding Together annually enlists volunteers and sponsors for thousands of renovation projects. In addition to Fox Point Boys and Girls Club, there will be nearly 30 other sites in Providence, according to LaVigne.

"It's amazing what you can accomplish with a little organization and a group of people in one day," said LaVigne, who is responsible for the daily upkeep of 235 Brown University buildings.

Coincidentally, Rebuilding Together usually occurs on opening day for youth baseball. As coach of his two sons' baseball teams throughout the years, LaVigne often had to run from one activity to another.

But recently his sons made it easier on their dad. "Fortunately, they're hockey players now," he said, adding that the switch frees them to volunteer for the organization, too.

To volunteer for the project at Fox Point Boys and Girls Club, send e-mail to Michelle Ross.