Rebuilding Together Greater Cuyahoga Valley is teaming up with Sears Holdings today for a very special rebuilding, one of a series of efforts taking place across the country.The Sears Heroes at Home campaign rebuilds the homes of military veterans.The veteran whose home has been targeted for today’s reach-out-in-love fix-up is Akron’s Tyrone Williamson, who served in the Navy in 1990-94. “Volunteers will scrape and paint the front porch, clean up landscaping, repair siding, install three new doors, a new countertop stove, ceiling fans in the kitchen and dining room and more,” said Paul Holm, executive director of Rebuilding Together. “All activities are designed to help keep Mr. Williamson warm, safe and dry and in a position where he can comfortably remain in his home for many years to come. Volunteers participating in the project also include employees and family members of Coca-Cola on Triplett Boulevard and students from the First Church of God in Tallmadge. Two more projects will be completed later in the month by other dedicated volunteers.”Sears’ Heroes at Home program plans to complete more than 60 projects nationwide and has already raised $12 million to help veterans and their families remain in safe homes. Rebuilding Together has completed more than 900 projects for veterans across the country.Fire victim in hospitalThree-year-old Zinan Life is still being treated in Columbus, suffering from severe injuries he received after a fire broke out at his family’s home about 12:30 a.m. Monday at 1463 Beardsley St., Akron.Neighbor Jackie Bates said the boy was flown to the Columbus hospital because it has a special oxygen treatment. Zinan, who was accompanied by his father, Josh Life, suffered major lung damage.Akron firefighters helped rescue Zinan and his 5-year-old brother Isaac. Isaac, along with Rikki and Josh Life’s other children — 6-month-old London and 18-month-old Aiden — were released later that day from Akron Children’s Hospital. The traumatized father, who helped rescue the other children, narrowly escaped by jumping from a window.Akron fire Capt. Bill Howe said the fire investigator reported in his preliminary findings that the fire started in the kitchen after food was left cooking on the stove.Bates and Ward 7 Councilwoman Tina Merlitti have set up the Life Family Benevolent Fund at FirstMerit Bank (any branch) to help the family, which lost everything in the fire. “They left with only the clothes on their backs,” Bates said, adding that new or gently worn clothes for the children can be dropped off at her home, 1460 Beardsley St. Bates said while her prayers are with little Zinan, she’s also concerned about the father. “He was freaking out that he couldn’t go back into the burning house to get Zinan,” she said. “He just had this blank stare as I was escorting him to the ambulance.”Citizenship workshopThe International Institute of Akron is offering a free citizenship assistance workshop for people interested in becoming U.S. citizens from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at its offices, 207 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron.Trained immigration counselors will be on hand to help applicants. The program is funded by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Citizenship. For information, please visit www.iiakron.orgRomeo Travis gives backMajor kudos to Romeo Travis, the Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School graduate who played basketball alongside LeBron James and is now playing in Israel. He recently started a foundation to give back to his community, just in time for the start of school.“I sent massive emails and Twitters out to family and friends asking for donations of gently used or new clothing for kids going back to school,” Travis wrote. “Through the emails, I received requests for school supplies, clothing and shoes for parents who were going on job interviews. “What started out for kids ended up being a family affair,” said Travis, who received a strong assist from Akron’s Matt Futch, who played basketball at Buchtel High School and the University of Akron.“The night before, with the help of my family and friends, all clothing and shoes were separated by size and style. As the people arrived, they were given a shopping bag, pink tickets for girls or women, blue for boys or men and orange for shoes. They were then led into the practice gym at St. Vincent-St. Mary’s to ‘shop’ for what they needed. As they left, they were given bags of school supplies. Fliers were distributed at Joy Park, Elizabeth Park and other areas of the city. We serviced over 200 adults and children and gave away approximately 140 bags of school supplies.“I did it because I know there is a need and I wanted to make a difference. Next year, I’d like to do more. Look good, feel good, learn more!”Shaw JCC helps outBig, beautiful bouquets to the Shaw Jewish Community Center, which recently brought in more than 100 school supplies through its Movie & Mitzvah event for Project RISE.Project RISE (Realizing Individual Strengths through Education) is a collaborative effort by Akron Public Schools, local shelters and the community to serve homeless children.“Last year over 950 students were identified as homeless in the Akron area,” said Debra Manteghi, program manager for Project RISE. “We want to be sure these students are as prepared as possible with school supplies in their hands.”Todd Rockoff, executive director of the Shaw JCC, underscored those sentiments. “We believe while providing quality programs for our members, it is also important to give back and support other local programs and organizations.”Gift of readingBouquets to Chuck Bell and First Book, Greater Akron, which recently presented the Akron Area YMCA Family Enrichment Center with $1,400 to purchase 150 new books for children enrolled at the facility.Bell, advisory board chairman for First Book, Greater Akron, was on hand to help the staff distribute the books, and shared story time and cake with the youngsters.First Book has distributed more than 10,000 books to children from low-income families since its inception in 2005.The Akron Area YMCA is this area’s largest provider of child care with seven full-time Early Care and Education Centers and more than 30 before- and after-school sites.Author in ‘Chicken Soup’Local author, speaker, columnist and humorist C.R. Rae’s piece, The Slumber Party, is featured in the new book Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for the Young at Heart. Her installment focuses on a group of eight mature-in-age friends who get together for an annual slumber party, which Rae calls the epitome of keeping young at heart.Their luggage, she says, has changed over the years “from baby doll pajamas, Ouija boards, potato chips and candy bars to long nightgowns, bladder leak protection ‘things’ and sugar-free candy.” But they still have fun.Her message? “To inspire others of a ‘certain age’ to get out there and do something young and fun.“Life is what you make it. So why not make it fun?”Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.