What a difference a week makes

wahtadif2.pngThe People Working Cooperatively (PWC) group came to Mississippi last week to help finish a project that has been ongoing for nearly a year. Joyce’s home in the Nesbit area (featured in a previous issue) had new siding installed, the drywall and the master bath completed. Thanks to these men from Cincinnati, Ohio, Joyce also received a temporary kitchen set up to help her until the permanent fixtures are installed.

PWC is nonprofit serving low-income, elderly and disabled homeowners. PWC volunteers assist with critical home repairs, energy conservation, weatherization, and mobility modifications.

This particular group of fellas has been together for more than 11 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 several times in the past and plan to return twice a year for the foreseeable future.

Just as these men did last autumn with Ms. Flo’s home in Tunica, this super crew was able to put on most of the wood siding on Joyce’s home in just shy of three days, leaving plenty of time for other projects.

In addition to the siding job, the handymen mudded and sanded the drywall throughout the home, installed a shower, tiled the master bath, painted the kitchen and installed a sink and counter before they had to make their way back north.

The group was able to get a good dose of “Southern exposure” while they were here in Mississippi. Several joked about picking up the slang of the area, but all were in agreement on one thing, stating, “Y’all sure do have some good food.”

Joyce had not been at her home the week that PWC was working. She had fallen ill and stayed with her daughter and grandchildren while she was recuperating.

Before their departure, Joyce, her daughter and grandchildren stopped by the house and the gentlemen were able to show them all of the work done on her home. Joyce was shocked at the difference just a few days had made. However, far and away the people most delighted with the repairs were her two grandchildren, who could not wait for the project to be complete so they could spend the night with their grandmother for the first time.

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