Cincinnati volunteers complete Brown project in Tunica
The Zielinski Group, a People Working Cooperatively (PWC) member group, came to Mississippi last week to help finish a project that has been ongoing for more than a year. Ms. Flo’s home in Tunica (featured in a previous issue) had new siding installed, thanks to these men from Cincinnati, Ohio.
PWC is nonprofit serving low-income, elderly and disabled homeowners. PWC volunteers assist with critical home repairs, energy conservation and weatherization and mobility modifications.
This particular group of fellas has been together for 10 years. Most are retired. The wisecracking, extremely talented band of brothers come from all faiths and walks of life. They started volunteering together after Hurricane Katrina. The gentlemen continued their assistance after the Joplin tornado and Hurricane Sandy. They have volunteered with SHSM three times in the past and plan to return twice-a-year for the foreseeable future.
“This is our third time here and there are more to come,” said Joe Zilenski, the group’s leader and namesake.
One would think putting siding on a house would be a week’s worth of work, but this super-crew was able to do it in just shy of three days, leaving plenty of time for other projects and an evening to serve at the Garden Cafe.
In addition to the siding job, the handymen patched walls and painted a room for one client, and were also able to install a bedroom floor, patch the roof, patch the interior ceiling and paint it before they had to make their way back north.
When asked what kept them coming back to donate their time, the group’s Jim Ramsey said, “The best part is when the homeowner comes out and you see the look on their face. That’s what makes it worthwhile.”
Ramsey also commented on one of the other projects they were able to complete. “When we installed the floor and fixed the roof for the amputee and his wife, the fella was completely overwhelmed, just stunned. There is so much joy that comes with that.”
Before their departure, the gentlemen were able to show Ms. Flo all of the work done on her home. To say the scene was one of sheer joy might be an understatement.
