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07/23/2008 07:49 AM

 

65 Local Homes Being Repaired By Volunteers July 15, 2008 ECO Staff -- Laure Cioffi, senior journalist ELLWOOD CITY – Calvin Presbyterian Church had been sending its youth to far away places to help needy people with simple home repairs. Then, about seven years ago, church members wondered why they couldn’t do the same type of work at home. It was then that the Carpenter’s Project was born. This week more than 200 volunteers, ages 13 and older, will be painting, pounding nails and doing other home repairs. Marsha Timblin, who along with her husband, Chuck, directs the annual program, said volunteers come from the 17 participating area churches. They will be working on simple home repairs for 65 homes in the Ellwood and Riverside school districts. “We help anyone who calls,” said Timblin. Applications from homeowners were taken in the spring for work that includes hedge trimming, outside painting, deck staining and calking or glazing windows and other repairs. “The idea is to allow more homeowners to stay in their homes,” Timblin said. The only requirement is the person living in the home be the owner. Timblin said they do not ask for financial information from the homeowner. The costs are picked up by private donations, a grant from Lawrence County’s Affordable Housing Fund and three fundraisers held throughout the year. Among the fundraisers is an annual performance at the Red Bard Theater. This year’s performance, “Don’t Tell Mother,” is being held at 8 p.m. July 22 and will benefit next year’s Carpenter’s Project. Cost is $10 per ticket. Timblin said when Calvin Presbyterian started the home repair program seven years ago it had the funding, but not the people. They contacted area churches to gauge involvement and ended up with nine participating. They now have churches of all denominations involved, she added. She noted that all volunteers who come in contact with homeowners do have Pennsylvania State Police clearances. The project kicked off Sunday with a worship service. Workers were expected to begin work at the homes around 8 a.m. Monday.