United Way To Join With Volunteers For Annual Day Of Caring
United Way To Join With Volunteers For Annual Day Of Caring
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
United Way To Join With Volunteers For Annual Day Of CaringUnited Way of Kosciusko County will join with hundreds of volunteers to make repairs to homes in Kosciusko County during this year's Day Of Caring.
Day of Caring is a United Way funded program that partners with Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, Grace College and Kosciusko Community Senior Services. Volunteers team up to make home repairs in the county. This year's Day of Caring is Aug. 25, and it is the sixth year for the day.
United Way has received 99 requests for projects in the county, and would like to see more than 100 requests, according to Pat Coy, United Way of Kosciusko County executive director.
Requests for home repairs through Day of Caring will be accepted by United Way until May 20.
"Day of Caring helps those who are in the most need, seniors who have no one else to call upon, and those with low to moderate incomes that need help with their homes and those with disabilities," Coy said.
United Way will build two handicapped-accessible ramps for two trailers at Westhaven Estates in Warsaw.
One homeowner is elderly and handicapped and in need of a ramp for her home. She found out about the program through some of her family members who received assistance during last year's Day of Caring. She was on a waiting list for the Mobile Home Repair program.
"She needs only a ramp so we know we could assist her through Day of Caring, conserving Kosciusko Mobile Home Repair funds so HOW can assist more families throughout the year," said Pam Kennedy, HOW executive director.
Kennedy said Day of Caring would not be possible without funding from United Way and the volunteers who participate each year.
"There are always waiting lists for home repairs each year and Day of Caring helps clear those waiting lists," Kennedy said.
The other homeowner who will receive a handicapped ramp adopted a 5-year-old who has cerebral palsy. HOW previously installed a new door and water heater through its Mobile Home Repair program. HOW also weatherized and air sealed the home. HOW then referred the family to Day of Caring.
"When we were working in the home during our weatherization program, we realized that this program could really use a new ramp to make is easier and safer for them and thought we could help her with this through Day of Caring 2010," said Melissa Yoder, HOW housing counselor.
To apply for home repairs and inquire about qualifications, call United Way at 574-269-2592 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
