Free repairs planned in Norwin
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Dozens of residents in the Norwin area could benefit this summer when hundreds of volunteers provide free home repairs to those who are elderly, handicapped or in financial need.
"The work will be done, and it won't cost them anything," said Anna Jacob, a volunteer helping to publicize the Norwin Area Workcamp, which will be held June 23-30.
The 400 volunteers will consist mostly of teenagers and young adults from out of state who will be housed at Norwin Middle School during their stay. They'll handle basic tasks such as building and repairing porches, weatherizing, painting, repairing and constructing steps, building wheelchair ramps and installing mobile home skirting.
Youth members of the First Presbyterian Church of Irwin have participated in out-of-state work camps in the past, and Group Cares, the organization that runs the camps, contacted the church to see if Norwin-area residents would benefit from the work.
"We hope to serve 70 households in the area," said Lauren Brown, First Presbyterian Christian education director..
In the past 34 years, Group Cares -- formerly Group Workcamps Foundation -- has hosted more than a quarter of a million participants, who have provided more than 6 million hours of volunteer service directly to people in need. This summer alone, volunteers will travel to 48 sites.
From now until summer, the church hopes to raise $19,000 to pay for materials for the repairs and "spread some awareness" to identify the beneficiaries, Ms. Jacob said. She said residents should be on the lookout for friends or neighbors who would benefit from a ramp to their front door or a new handrail along their back steps. While anyone who needs help is encouraged to apply, Ms. Brown said some projects are too complicated for the volunteers, such as roof repairs.
"We need almost 200 applications to find the 70 we can do," she said. Right now, she's looking for volunteers with construction expertise to survey potential sites. Training sessions for potential surveyors will be held Feb. 18.
To apply to be a beneficiary, volunteer as a site surveyor or donate money, visit www.norwinareaworkcamp.org; write to Norwin Area Workcamp, 617 Main St., Irwin, PA 15642; call 724-771-1443; or send a fax to 724-863-5579. Checks can be made payable to First Presbyterian Church of Irwin or Group Cares.
First Published February 2, 2012 4:53 am
