Community Relations Office
April 1st, 2004 -- Mary Dorsey, of Lincoln University, said she had to lean on someone for support to get from the car to her living room before the crew of Project RAKE (Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere) volunteers installed a wheelchair ramp, fixed the front step, and leveled the floor inside and on the porch to make them the same height.
The crew was one of 12, comprising over 70 individual volunteers, including some Oxford High School students, who were at work Saturday, March 13, at 18 locations in Oxford, Lincoln University and throughout southern Chester County performing free home repairs for senior citizens and low-income families and homeowners who cannot afford to pay for the repairs themselves.
The crew working at Dorsey's home included two crew chiefs, Gary Horsch and Ken Loux; and four teenage volunteers from Avon Grove, Rob Cochran, Erin McSweeney, Sara Waltz and Matt Mericle. They had previously installed a window and painted a propane tank, and are planning to fix leaks in the roof and paint the shed.
Horsch and Loux said they were especially happy to extend the project's services to Dorsey, who for years has been collecting donations of used clothing and distributing it to those in need.
Dorsey heard of the project from the Oxford Neighborhood Services Center, which along with Project RAKE, is cooperating with other organizations in the Bridging the Community Project, an effort to identify community strengths and needs and share resources to meet those needs.
The volunteers don't limit themselves to the repairs, but also interact on a personal level with the homeowners. "The project is for the benefit of the teenagers, also," said Loux. "The crew chiefs show them (the teenage volunteers) what to do and they do the work," said Horsch. "They're responsible for the jobs and the cleanup. They interact with the homeowners. They learn skills that they give back to the community."
Project RAKE representatives will typically do a survey to find out what a homeowner needs, assign crew leaders with the skills needed for the project, find volunteers, and seek donations of the needed materials from businesses, organizations and individuals, sometimes paying for some items themselves.
At another location in Lincoln University, a crew led by Jeff Pincin was busy installing and painting drywall and replacing switches and dangerously worn and frayed electrical wires for homeowner Awilda Negron. The crew had previously installed smoke detectors at the home
Pincin said safety was the prime consideration in determining the needs of individual homeowners. He added that though the program is intended mainly for homeowners, repairs are sometimes done for renters in need if the landlord agrees to continue renting to them, and to keep the rent at a specified amount for an extended period.
"It's neat," Negron said, referring to the volunteer spirit of those involved. "Not many help others for free."
Negron said she wasn't aware -- until the crew conducted the survey -- that the electrical wiring in her home was in such poor condition. "I can sleep better tonight," she said.
At a third location in Lincoln University, Drew Cope, Project RAKE's site coordinator & Ground Zero's youth director, served as crew chief to a group of teenage volunteers who were repairing leaks in the roof and in the bathroom, and repairing and painting kitchen cabinets, a gazebo and a shed for homeowner Lavinia Burruss.
"It's wonderful. The youth and the patience they have," said Burruss. "It's a beautiful program. You don't find this everywhere."
Project RAKE, a community outreach program of the Ground Zero Youth Ministry of the New London Church, has been performing free repairs for homeowners since 2002. Over 250 students and 100 adults have volunteered their time and services to help around 50 families.
The teenage volunteers enjoy participating in the program. The common sentiment is that they feel good helping others, and that they learn skills they can return to the community.
Matt Mericle, like the others, said he likes to help, especially those who help others, like mary Dorsey. "They help us, too. We learn their stories," he said.
Rob Cochran said it's his way of "helping others and serving the Lord."
"I love being a part of Ground Zero and being able to help, the good feeling you get inside when giving back" said Sara Waltz.
Erin McSweeney agreed. "It's cool helping others and very rewarding," she said.
Project RAKE is in need of adult crew chiefs, especially those with carpet-laying and roofing skills, teenage volunteers, and donations of building and household repair items. The project also has an Adopt-a-Homeowner program, through which donations of building materials for specific projects can be made.
To ask for assistance for anyone needing home repairs, or to volunteer or donate supplies, call Drew Cope or Mike Atkins at 610-869-7332.