SYRACUSE - Ron and Karmen Collins, Syracuse, now have a safe concrete walkway to roll their 13-year-old twin daughters in and out of their trailer.
The twins are both in wheelchairs. The Collins' daughters, Lacey and Hope, were born May 14, 1995, with cerebral palsy and cognitive disabilities.Their parents watched Wednesday morning as Day of Caring volunteers laid concrete for a walkway that now leads to their trailer.
The Collins' trailer, where they have lived since 1997, was one of 103 homes in Kosciusko County that received repairs Wednesday during the fourth annual event.
Day of Caring is an event funded by United Way of Kosciusko County in which volunteers make repairs to homes in the county. Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, more than 200 Grace College students and Kosciusko Community Senior Services also participated in the efforts.
Homes in 11 towns in Kosciusko County received work by more than 500 volunteers. Projects ranged from yard work, painting homes and installing ramps.
There were 10 homes in Burket, five in Claypool, three in Etna Green, 13 in Pierceton, nine in Winona Lake, six in Oswego, four in Silver Lake, nine in Mentone, four in North Webster, nine in Syracuse and 31 in Warsaw.
Work supplies were donated by local businesses and lunches and snacks for volunteers were provided by more than 600 volunteers from community churches and clubs.
The Collins said they have needed a concrete walkway for a long time.
"It has been difficult to wheel our daughter's wheelchairs over the gravel driveway and in snow during the winter," Ron said.
In the past, their daughter's wheelchairs were rolled over the gravel driveway and up a wheelchair ramp onto the trailer's deck.
Karmen said she was overwhelmed with joy because of the volunteer's efforts.
"We are honored to have people help us and our daughters, God gave us our daughters for a reason and my husband and I are better people because of them," Karmen said.
Employees of Pioneer Masonry, Warsaw, and two Grace College students laid concrete for the walkway.
Mark Katzer, Pioneer Masonry owner, said he was glad to help the family.
"I feel blessed to be a part of helping create a walkway that will help create a safe path for the wheelchairs," Katzer said.
Amy Simmons, a sophomore elementary education major at Grace College, drove stakes into the grown to prepare for the walkway to be laid.
"It is a wonderful feeling to have the opportunity to help a family," Simmons said.
Lacey and Hope were at Wawasee Middle School where they are sixth-graders while the work took place. They attended a reflection ceremony Wednesday night with family at Winona Lake Hillside Amphitheater.
Hundreds of home owners and volunteers reflected on the day sharing experiences with one another.
Each child who lived at a home where work was completed received a teddy bear donated by the Warsaw Fire Department.
Pam Kennedy, HOW executive director, she said she was happy with this year's efforts.
She thanked businesses and contractors who provided their expertise to work with the volunteers.
"It was a day that provided hope for many people in the community and is a chain reaction that brings people out of hardships and bad circumstances," Kennedy said.
She said some of the volunteers today are going to sites to finish jobs.
