news from EMERGENCY & COMMUNITY SERVICES
Fixing Holes, Comforting Souls All in a day’s work for Fix It volunteers.
VOLUNTEER PROFILES John Law, a military service member who recently returned from Afghanistan, wanted to assist others in his community. “Volunteering is an excellent way to be involved in my community and stay productive,” he says. No two assignments are alike and Law enjoys the variety of projects he has worked on. “I’ve installed new toilet plungers, put up shelves, secured a heating foil duct pipe, spackled over nail holes, filled in gopher holes, installed trim and cleaned gutters,” he says. Some of the clients Law deals with are just happy to have someone to talk to. “The joke is that an hour job requires 15 minutes of work and 45 minutes talking to the client,” he says. Rusty McCarthy decided to volunteer with Fix It after she retired from her job as an ER physician. She
Fix It volunteers Ellen Carr, John Law and Rusty McCarthy.
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For nearly 15 years, Catholic Charities’ Fix It volunteers have helped thousands of seniors in Ocean County who need a small repair or assistance with a household chore. Funded by the Ocean County Department of Senior Services and Catholic Charities, the Fix It program is coordinated by Tom Connors who receives calls for assistance and then pairs the caller with a volunteer. The only cost to the resident is for any needed parts. Volunteers bring their own expertise, tools, elbow grease and a sympathetic ear. While the majority of volunteers are men who are retirement age, there are a growing number of women who enjoy helping as well. Regardless of their diverse backgrounds, all volunteers share a common desire to help and care for their neighbors.
and her friend Pat team up to handle a variety of Fix It assignments. “I enjoy the look of surprise Pat and I get when the homeowner opens her door, expecting to see a male handyman,” laughs McCarthy. McCarthy enjoys spending time with the homeowners, most of whom live alone. Her advice to those interested in volunteering, but reluctant because they don’t possess a lot of technical skills: “Give it a try, most projects are as easy as changing a bulb.” Ellen Carr is one of the first female Fix It volunteers and has been volunteering for nearly a decade. She says that once homeowners get over their surprise that a woman is capable of tackling minor repairs, they are delighted. “I surely get more out of my efforts than the homeowners do,” she says. “The thanks I get is knowing I’ve helped a neighbor in need,” she says. Carr encourages Ocean County residents to consider becoming a Fix It volunteer. “Of all the things we do on this earth, there is nothing more important than helping others,” she says.
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FOR INFORMATION on Fix It or to volunteer, call 732-363-5322 x3234.
THE HORIZON FOUNDATION FOR NEW JERSEY AWARDS $20,000 GRANT TO CATHOLIC CHARITIES The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey has generously awarded a grant of $20,000 to Catholic Charities’ Ocean Emergency & Community Services (ECS) for its Project Hope Health and Wellness Education and Prevention Services initiative. This is the second year that the Horizon Foundation funded the program. ECS’ Project Hope Health and Wellness Education and Prevention Services is designed to help economically disadvantaged residents of Ocean County effect changes in their health practices, live healthy lifestyles, identify potential health risks and obtain treatment, and develop a plan with a case manager to meet both basic and health care needs.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION contact Carmen Pagan at 732-363-5322, or cpagan@cctrenton.org.
The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey promotes health, well-being, and quality of life in New Jersey’s communities. Priority areas include health and the arts.
The Spirit — Winter 2013
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