SAWs completes another year of helping the handicapped

On Nov. 15 the SAWs (Servants at Work) mission of the Greencastle Presbyterian Church completed another year of building ramps, steps and safety rails for the handicapped in Putnam County.

This year SAWs produced 23 ramps and projects bringing the total since beginning in Putnam County in 2009 to 95. This has been a productive year and the SAWs Team looks forward to continuing the mission in 2015.

Already there are numerous ramp requests on the 2015 list with more sure to come as the need continues.

The handicapped person that is helped by SAWs is not the only one who receives help. With the installation of a handicapped ramp that provides freedom to the client of SAWs, freedom is also provided to the caregivers who have been providing help to the handicapped for so long.

Many of these caring people are also set free to pursue other activities without the worry of a friend or loved one having access to their home. There is no way to determine the personal impact of the SAWs work but it is far greater than just the count of ramps built.

The SAWs volunteers wished to give a special thanks to the Putnam County Community Foundation, Headley Hardware, Greencastle Eagles FOE No. 4388, First National Bank, Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church, Putnam County Senior Center, Stardust Hills Homeowner's Association, the WILL Center, Greencastle Presbyterian Church, Greencastle Christian Church, Spencer Presbyterian Church and all other citizens and business organizations that have supported SAWs in 2014.

The support from the members of the community is vital to the success of SAWs as providing these ramps cannot continue without this help. It should be noted that every dollar received by SAWs is used to help those that have difficulties accessing their homes. SAWs looks forward to the continued support of the community in 2015.

This year SAWs received more requests for ramps than could be completed during the 2014 build season. Those that did not receive their ramps have been placed on the list for the 2015 builds that will start in early spring.

Anyone interested in a ramp, steps or safety rails should contact SAWs at 653-5713, or at facebook.com/SAWSGreencastle.

John Anderson, who spearheads the SAWs effort for the church, concluded the build season by asking a question that is often on his lips.

"If SAWs does not provide freedom to the handicapped trapped in their homes, who will?" Anderson asked. "To do this SAWs needs Putnam County for support just as Putnam County needs SAWs to provide freedom to the handicapped."