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Whidbey Xtra! WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 | Vol. 1, No. 40 | WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM | FREE
Heart and Hammers looks to introduce neighbors By RON NEWBERRY
rnewberry@whidbeynewsgroup.com
It might be an old circuit breaker that keeps popping everytime you run the dryer and vacuum cleaner. Or it could be an out-of-control wisteria bush that’s hugging the side of your house tighter each year. Chances are, there’s a lingering problem around your home that you’d like to see go away. If you’re a homeowner in Central Whidbey and have trouble maintaining your home due to limited resources, there’s a good chance that a group of skilled workers will come to your home and fix the problem at no charge. The group, Central Whidbey Hearts & Hammers, is looking for residential projects for its annual volunteer work day. This year, the date is Saturday, May 7. The group is compiling its home project list and is giving applicants until Jan. 31 to submit their requests. The effort is designed to help homeowners who need home repairs or yard cleanup but either have trouble doing the work themselves or can’t afford to hire the help. Central Whidbey Hearts & Hammers, a nonprofit, has been providing the free service in the
Photo by Ron Newberry/Whidbey News-Times
A work party with Central Whidbey Hearts & Hammers is busy with repairs at a property in Coupeville last year. Projects this year will take place May 7. There is a Jan. 31 deadline for homeowners to submit applications. greater Coupeville area one day per year since it started its own group in 2009. It used to be part of the original South Whidbey Hearts & Hammers, which formed in 1994. The Central Whidbey group’s coverage area follows the
Coupeville School District boundaries, including Greenbank, and stretches as far north as Hastie Lake. Board members field the work requests then review each one to determine eligibility. “We’d like to stress that we
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consider it sort of an honor that people are asking us to help,” said Wilson Binger, board president of Central Whidbey Hearts & Hammers. “Neighbors generally like to help other neighbors, but they’re always reluctant to ask. When they do ask, it’s really
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great for the people who want to give.” About 130 volunteers representing roughly 30 teams take part in the work day. That includes teams that prepare breakfast and dinner for the workers. The work requests typically range from yard cleanup to painting. The group, made up of general contractors, subcontractors and those who just want to help, also can do electrical or plumbing work, window and deck repair, and wheelchair ramps, among other tasks. “It’s a chance to do something for one day,” Binger said. “That’s part of where our job as board members comes into play. We have to make sure this is a oneday project and not a 10-day project. Sometimes we have to limit what we can do because of that.” There is no charge for labor or materials. Donations are accepted. Work requests may be made by calling 360-720-2114 or by sending an email to cwheartsand hammers@gmail.com Central Whidbey Hearts & Hammers also is holding a community dinner from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Jan. 29, at the Coupeville Recreational Hall. The dinner costs $5 with proceeds going to Central Whidbey Hearts & Hammers.