Volunteers Swing Into Action
St. Ignatius teens, working along side Mr. Lee installed a wheel chair ramp at Ida’s home in Holly spring. Volunteer Liam Rocks commented, “I liked knowing that the finished product was something that will improve the lives of others.”Liam’s fellow volunteer, Nina Onejemeciem, said she would remember the poverty in the community, and how much help is still needed. She also would recommend the service experience to others, saying that it really helps gain an appreciation for what one has and drives home the importance of service.
Chicago teens from St. Ignatius College Prep School spent a week with us and tackled all types of projects in the Holly Springs area. Breaking into teams, they installed a wheel chair ramp for one client and, for another, installed a new water heater, tiled the bathroom and did exterior repairs.
Tiling and making repairs in the bathroom for Alice.
The Volunteer Program has been rolling full steam ahead since the beginning of June. Kelly, Paul and Mr. Lee, along with all of the hardworking people who gave of their time, should be commended not only on the work, but also for doing it in this brutal Mississippi heat and humidity!
With a group each week, sometimes two, a great many life-changing projects have been completed. Here is a peek at some of the blessings.
In Holly Springs, two families with health challenges were assisted over the past few weeks. Alice and her husband live not far from our social service office. Alice once had a thriving home-based hair salon, but her mobility issues have made the work impossible to continue. Her husband, elderly and stricken with a number of health problems, is also unable to work. Their poor physical condition combined with limited income has resulted in their home falling into disrepair—so much so that the insurance company threatened to discontinue coverage. Two groups, St. Martin of Tours and St. Ignatius, were able to tackle exterior painting and replacement of rotten wood, as well as refurbishing the couple’s bathroom, which was nearly inoperable.
Ida, another elderly Holly Springs resident, was the recipient of a wheelchair ramp courtesy of these two volunteer groups. Her project had been delayed several times due to heavy rain in the spring. Bringing sunny weather and even sunnier dispositions, St. Ignatius began the ramp and St. Martin of Tours completed the rails and the landing, giving Ida more mobility.
Other families also saw phenomenal improvements as the summer sun sizzled overhead. Charlene and her son both have epilepsy. Epilepsy is chronic neurological disorder whose hallmark is seizures. The mother and son both suffer multiple seizures daily, sometimes as many as 20. It is not unusual for EMTs to assist several times a week. The family lives in a trailer tucked away on a steep bluff. A wheelchair ramp is a necessity, enabling the safe removal and transport of Charlene and her son during life-threatening situations. Their old ramp was literally falling apart. The wood that remained was spongy at best. Regnum Christi and St. John’s College High School were able to remove the old ramp and reconstruct a safe and solid one.
Sometimes it seems that one misfortune has a snowball effect. For Hailey, a kitchen fire in her trailer was a disaster, but it was nothing compared to the shock of the Department of Human Services knocking on her door, informing her that her two children might be taken away if she didn’t make the kitchen functional again soon. While Hailey and her children stayed with her mother, our volunteers came to the rescue. A good cleaning, lots of primer, buckets of paint and elbow grease were just what the doctor ordered. The Mission Youth from Regnum Christi were able to get the kitchen looking good as new. They were also able to freshen up other areas of the trailer home that suffered smoke damage.
Speaking of paint, you may remember our client Kelly, whom we assisted with kitchen and bath repairs and renovations back in the spring. Kelly’s trailer looks like a shiny new penny thanks to the coat of paint it was applied by the Mission Youth.
Joyce’s home is also getting a facelift. One of our ongoing renovation projects, we have been able to make great strides this summer. Thanks to many hands, the roof is near completion. Structural elements fixed, it is sealed up and has brand new shingles! All new windows and doors, insulation, and exterior sheathing make the exterior nearly ready for siding. The inside has also seen some dramatic changes. Kitchen gutted and new floors and sheet rock installed, it is now ready for new cabinetry. The home’s electrical was rewired, eliminating the fire hazard of the weatherworn wires. Crews have also cleaned, constructed a shed, and helped straighten up Joyce’s disheveled yard.
Volunteers make such a difference. Their presence here, whether for an hour, a day or a week, is a blessing for us and for all of the people we serve. These groups and individuals that give of their time and talent truly are the heart and hands of Christ in our world.
