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52 Faces of Community<\/a> is a Fort Worth Report weekly series spotlighting local unsung heroes. It is sponsored by Central Market<\/a>, H-E-B<\/a> and JPS Health Network<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the end of the year, these rarely recognized heroes will gather for a luncheon where the Report will announce one honoree to represent Tarrant County at the Jefferson Awards in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n After a career in information technology, Marcell found a second act as an industrious volunteer, including helping to build 14 playgrounds for Fort Worth ISD \u2014 and he has no plans to stop.<\/p>\n Marcell\u2019s tireless volunteer spirit earned him a nomination for 52 Faces of Community<\/a>, the Fort Worth Report\u2019s weekly series spotlighting unsung heroes in Tarrant County.<\/p>\n ENJOY READING THE NEWS AGAIN<\/strong><\/p>\n Discover refreshing, nonpartisan<\/strong> reporting on stories happening in your backyard.<\/p>\n Marcell, 71, does not have a professional background in building, but he was exposed to it through his uncle and grandfather, who built houses.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Building a playground takes a few days, and Marcell said he wants to help from beginning to end. The building begins when a trailer stacked with disassembled playground equipment arrives. Volunteers unload the materials, organize them and begin assembly.<\/p>\n \u201cUsually if it was supported by a company as a build sponsor, they would have lots of volunteers there to help put them together, and some of us folks who had built multiple playgrounds would be assigned a group of the volunteers to put together, say, the slide, or monkey bars or whatever needed to be done,\u201d Marcell said.<\/p>\n Alma Pohler, volunteer coordinator for the school district, said Marcell has become a leader among volunteers. Besides continually showing up, he also encourages others to join.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s always just so positive and friendly and always highlighting why it\u2019s good to volunteer, that others want to keep on doing it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Know an unsung hero in Tarrant County?<\/p>\n Tell us about them by filling out the form below. <\/p>\n Marcell said the most rewarding part is seeing the kids\u2019 excitement and knowing they will enjoy their new playground.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes the teachers let them walk by, parade by, getting to see them smiling and laughing and waving at us and trying to get our attention, and just amazed of what we\u2019ve built so far,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201c\u201cHe\u2019s always just so positive and friendly and always highlighting why it\u2019s good to volunteer, that others want to keep on doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n Alma Pohler, Fort Worth ISD volunteer coordinator<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Marcell\u2019s efforts do not stop at playgrounds. Past volunteer projects he undertook include making pencil holders for Mary Louise Phillips Elementary, phone stands for Atwood McDonald Elementary and a birdhouse for Turner Elementary.<\/p>\n He also volunteers at the school district\u2019s Stop Six Food Drive.<\/p>\n Outside of schools, he works with the community garden at his church, Ridglea Christian Church, which donates food to those in need. In its first year, the garden donated nearly 1,000 pounds of produce to LVTRise<\/a> and WestAid, a nonprofit food pantry working to combat food insecurity in southwest Tarrant County.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just important to be able to give back, and people that need it, need it,\u201d Marcell said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Although he has built over a dozen playgrounds for future generations, he sees no need for a legacy. He emphasized that he is just one of many who give their time to help out.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t really care that I am much remembered,\u201d Marcell said. \u201cI\u2019m just a volunteer.\u201d<\/p>\n McKinnon Rice is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at mckinnon.rice@fortworthreport.org.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tired of shouting? Help us bring facts into focus.<\/strong><\/p>\n There\u2019s no shortage of opinions out there, but facts are harder to come by. At the Fort Worth Report, we deliver local reporting grounded in truth so that you can make informed decisions for yourself and your community.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n\n
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