Opening new doors with Putnam County Habitat for Humanity

When Cloverdale resident, Jeffery Smith, walked into the South Park office plaza, he had no idea he would soon be receiving a new front door.

Putnam County's chapter of Habitat for Humanity officially kicked off a new program entitled a Brush with Kindness earlier this month.

Smith was happy and appreciative to be the first beneficiary. "He told me on cold evenings he had to retreat to his bedroom because there was so much cold air (that) would flow around the door. It made it impossible to sit in the living room," said Kevin Wood, president of Habitat's Putnam County board and one of Saturday's three volunteers. "Now he will be able to enjoy his evenings in the living room."

Volunteers provide painting, landscaping, and various other minor repairs to low-income homeowners. While, homeowners, themselves, pay for the materials through no-interest loans, and help with the labor when they can.

"We're not a handout, we're a step up," said Putnam County Habitat for Humanity executive officer, Nancy Rosa. She wants people to understand Habitat will only help people who actually need it.

Those needs, according to Rosa and Wood, are plentiful. "There are a lot of opportunities to help low-income homeowners in Putnam County, but for us to help we will need financial and volunteer support," Wood said.

"We'd like to be more involved with the communitty. Partner with someone, maybe a church," Rosa said. There are only two board members and volunteers originally from Putnam County. That has proven difficult for Habitat.

"We live here now, but we weren't from here. So we don't know the people to go to," she said. "We didn't have any contacts or know who to call."

Rosa believes making these connections can allow Habitat to assist more people. She pointed to several examples of people who reached out to the organization, but the resources aren't there to help.

"The more volunteers we have, the more we can do," board president Wood said.

Habitat is open to individual volunteers whether they are administrative or completing basic maintenance on local homes through a Brush with Kindness.

"It's really a win, win," volunteer Ben O'Hair said. He joined Andy O'Hair and board President Kevin Wood to complete the project. The cold temperatures didn't dampen their moods. They successfully installed a new door for Jeffery Smith.

The program, according to President Kevin Wood, helps struggling families keep up with the increasing costs of owning a home. "Home ownership can come with many challenges, especially for low-income families. You can get your water heater fixed or porch steps replaced. It gives the homeowner a sense of pride in their home, and makes for a better community."

He hopes a brush with kindness is only the start of Habitat's larger presence in the county.