Area homes needing work can be rebuilt

While living in New Jersey, Pastor Tom Woodley saw the benefits of Rebuilding Together.

Woodley helped coordinate a Rebuilding Together chapter in New Jersey in 2005, an organization set up to help homeowners in need.

He said while there, the organization managed to help three families victimized by pediatric cancer.

"That just drains a family monetarily," Woodley said.

But the chapter helped those families fix their homes.

Rebuilding Together is a non-profit organization with a top priority on looking for homeowners that are dealing with financial problems, on fixed incomes and can not afford to fix homes, or those who are dealing with "catastrophes," Woodley said.

Now, Woodley has helped organize a chapter here in Putnam County which he hopes can benefit residents in the Cloverdale area, South Putnam Community School Corp. area, and the northern area of Owen County immediately, with a future goal of branching out to the entire county.

Woodley -- who began preaching at Grace Luther-an Church, Cloverdale, in June -- got the organization started in January. On Monday, he told the BannerGraphic it is ready to accept nominations for those in need.

"We're looking for people to be nominated," Woodley said. "We hope to do two to three (homes) depending on how much funding we can raise."

Woodley said finding volunteers for the organization was not a problem. He estimated that close to 40 people have already came to the forefront expressing a desire to help those in need, including students at DePauw University.

"We've had very good participation from the community," he said.

Woodley said he has spoken to many groups since forming the local Rebuilding Together organization and will speak with Rotary on Feb. 28.

He said the organization needs to raise at least $5,000 and possibly more to help rebuild at least two or three homes.

"We want to get moving with it," he said.

Woodley said Rebuilding Together is a national organization that has 12 chapters in Indiana. The volunteer group typically will work on rebuilding homes on the last Saturday in April. Its main office is located in Washington, D.C. The program began in Midland, Texas, in 1973.

Despite not having all the necessary funds at the moment, Woodley said the local group has made plans to provide help to low-income families in need on that last Saturday in April.

"That's our target right now," he said, "if everything goes smoothly."

Woodley said those who are in need of help can call the church at (765) 795-3214 or send a letter to Rebuilding Together, PO Box 350, Cloverdale, 46120.

He added the church has already set up a fundraiser for the program as it will host a euchre tournament at 2 p.m. Sunday. Entry fee into the tourney is $5.