Volunteers to improve hundreds of Kosciusko County homes
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Hundreds of volunteers will spend Wednesday giving back to the community by beautifying homes around Kosciusko County.
United Way of Kosciusko County, which funds Day of Caring, is again teaming up with Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, Grace College and Kosciusko Community Senior Services to assist with the efforts.Day of Caring is an annual event in which residents, government leaders and businesses come together to help people make repairs to homes.
There are a total of 550 volunteers who will make repairs to 103 homes in the county.
Projects include installing wheelchair ramps, painting homes and washing windows, according to HOW Executive Director Pam Kennedy.
Homes in 11 towns in Kosciusko County will receive work.
The list of homes to be worked on include 10 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.
Local businesses have sold supplies for the event at discounted rates. Local churches will provide lunch for the volunteers in each town.
This is the fourth year for the volunteer effort that has grown immensely, Kennedy said.
Last year, 58 projects were completed by 350 volunteers. In 2006 there were 25 projects completed by 100 volunteers, and in 2005 there were four projects completed by 25 volunteers.
Pat Coy, executive director of United Way of Kosciusko County, said Day of Caring allows volunteers to give back to the community.
"The day encourages volunteers to give back to individuals in the county who are of low to moderate incomes," Coy said.
Forms were distributed around the county to people who needed home repairs completed.
A time of reflection will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Winona Lake Amphitheater where home owners and volunteers will reflect on the day, sharing their experiences with one another.
