Wanted: A few good men or women with the ability to organize. Willing to donate some time. Experience in building trades or home improvements, a plus.

Pay: Knowing you've helped someone who couldn't help themselves. Benefits include a grateful smile and possible handshake.

Reply to: Portage Rebuilding Together, which has helped 192 families in Portage Township since 1998 live better lives.

PORTAGE | When Tom Cznarich retired as an electrician, his youngest son encouraged him to get involved, use his skills and help other people.

Cznarich applied to be a volunteer with Rebuilding Together Portage.

That first year he became a house captain. Sixteen years later, he's president of the organization, which aims to help people in Portage Township stay in their homes, by making repairs, large and small.

"I feel I have a talent. I don't think it is right if you don't share that talent," said Cznarich. Besides, he adds, he thinks he's gotten more back in those 16 years than he's ever been able to give.

Cznarich has seen the organization ebb and flow since it began as Christmas in April in 1998.

"When it first started, Portage was in its building boom," he said. "House captains were contractors who were in competition with each other. The money and donations flowed easily. Then the recession hit."

The group struggled from time to time, but held a building day the last Saturday in April every year, helping as many people as they could. There were hit hard in 2010 when it was discovered the treasurer had embezzled nearly all the group's funds. He's now slowly repaying the debt.

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Portage Rebuilding Together working to rebuild its organization

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