SAWs begins eighth year of helping handicapped Putnam County people

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Beginning its eighth year of providing handicap ramps to the disabled in Putnam County, the Servants at Work (SAWs) mission of Greencastle Presbyterian Church is again looking for people to help and community support.

SAWs offers handicapped ramps to those who need improved access to their homes normally at no cost to the recipient.

Since 2009 when the mission started, SAWs has built 115 ramps in Putnam County. Prior to the beginning of this mission many residents of Putnam County could not get out of their homes to go doctor's appointments, the grocery store, or other commitments without the help of friends or emergency services because they were trapped in their homes.

The ramps leave these people free to leave and enter their homes with little or no help.

The objective of the SAWs mission for 2016 is to provide at least 25 ramps to the residents of Putnam County who are waiting for our help.

"The expression of joy on the face of a handicapped resident who has just been freed from the entrapment of their home by a new ramp or steps is the greatest indication of the value of the SAWs Mission to the community," SAWs coordinator John Anderson said.

The work of the SAWs Mission is hard and expensive. The average ramps costs between $600 and $1,200, depending on the size and complexity of the design.

SAWs and the Greencastle Presbyterian Church cannot fund this work alone. The mission can only provide these ramps at no cost to qualified residents with the help of grants and donations from the community as well as volunteers to help do the work.

As they have for the past seven years, program organizers are asking for help. Monetary donations or donations of labor are always greatly appreciated.

"At a minimum we would like to ask for the community's help in getting our message out," Anderson said. "If you know of someone who is handicapped and needs help accessing their home, please let them know about SAWs."

This time each year SAWs begins actively looking for residents to help.

"If you know of someone who needs our help, please let them know about SAWs," Anderson said.

SAWs can be reached at 653-5713 or email at churchoffice@cinergymetro.net. More information can also be found at www.facebook .com/SAWSGreencastle.

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  • This is an amazing mission and one truly needed in our community. These people give their all for the common good and you will feel good about yourself if you help them out!

    -- Posted by talkymom3 on Mon, Feb 29, 2016, at 8:00 AM
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