Huffington Magazine Issue 25 | Page 75

Exit raised an army of 1,000 people to descend upon their suburban Connecticut communities, aiding the elderly, sick and those “down on their luck” to tame the sprawling acres of dead leaves and autumn debris in their backyards. The annual Rake and Bake (which includes a community lunch at the local high school afterwards) is just one of the ventures Brady organizes for his non-profit organization, Handy Dandy Handy Man, which has been servicing the community since the year 2000. Whether a senior needs a light bulb changed or a hoarder needs GREATEST PERSON OF THE WEEK a $30,000 home makeover before his house is condemned and demolished, Brady who has a contact list of 2,000 people ready to back him up when he says the word. “We all should be doing something for the next person,” he says. “Love thy neighbor as thyself. Through the year is really where we make a difference for a number of people. We have served 600 families in these 12 years.” BEGINNINGS Born in 1941, Brady is the oldest boy and fifth child in a family of seven children. He grew up Catholic in New Rochelle, New York, helping his father with the upkeep of their house on the weekends, a HUFFINGTON 12.02.12 A group of Handy Dandy Handy Man volunteers pose with Brady, who is kneeling in the forefront.