'Rebuilding Together' effort needs your help

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

For people with leaky roofs or other home repair needs beyond what they can accomplish on their own, the Rebuilding Together network offers a constructive fix.

"We do all our work absolutely free of charge for qualified homeowners," says Pastor Tom Woodley of the Owen/Putnam chapter of the nationwide organization.

He will be sharing information about the organization during a Rebuilding Together breakfast set for 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Walden Inn.

The event is open to the public, and area churches are especially encouraged to send representatives. Greencastle Christian Church is sponsoring the breakfast, along with Grace Lutheran Church at Cloverdale and Rebuilding Together Owen Putnam.

A big build is already scheduled for Saturday, April 26 at the Quincy-area home of Joe and Sally Chandler. The couple need a new roof on their home.

But depending upon the number of volunteers and the financial support received, additional home projects can be included on the build day.

"We are asking people for just one day to volunteer. We don't want to string it out over time," Woodley said.

"And we will find a place for anyone to volunteer. People in the trades are great, but we also need people to make lunch and run errands, so anyone can help."

The Owen Putnam chapter was recently blessed by a $10,000 grant from the Lowe's Corporation, which will cover the repairs to the Chandler home.

There are four to five other homes currently being considered for additional projects on April 26, and more can be added.

Anyone wanting to be considered by Rebuilding Together can call Greencastle Christian Church at 653-5816 or contact Woodley at Grace Lutheran Church at 795-3214.

Last year, Rebuilding Together Owen Putnam pulled off five home repairs -- three in May and two in July.

While the two July projects in Greencastle were mainly focused on roof replacement, the volunteers were also able to do other projects that the elderly home occupants could not get completed.

The volunteers painted, planted flowers, trimmed trees, rehung doors, repaired water-damaged ceilings and undertook many other minor spruce-ups.

"The more people we can get involved in this, the more we can do," Woodley said.

Rebuilding Together is a national nonprofit with a network of nearly 225 affiliates across the United States.

Its mission is to preserve affordable housing by bringing volunteers and communities together to rehabilitate the homes of low-income homeowners.

The organization's website states: "Rebuilding Together believes the disabled and elderly should be allowed to remain in their own homes whenever possible. We believe that homeowners displaced by natural disaster will get back into safe housing with help from the community.

"We believe that our nation's veterans who return with disabilities deserve a helping hand so they may return to their own homes in basic comfort."

For more information about the national organization, go to www.rebuildingtogether.org.

For more information on the local projects, attend the chapter breakfast at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Walden Inn. Walk-ins are welcome.

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