Come this May Tri-Cities residents can literally dig in and make an impact on the world around them.
On May 19, Habitat for Humanity will lead a day of mobilization involving local businesses and residents with the first ever IMPACT Day event.
“IMPACT Day itself is a one-day effort where we are targeting low-income elderly veterans and disables homeowners who need a helping hand with projects around their house,” said Roddie Shanley, Habitat Re-store manager. “The impact is just a one-day event where we are going to try to target 30 homes.”
IMPACT Day is designed to mobilize numerous groups doing work on local properties that need extra help.
“This is our first year — boy are we learning a lot,” Shanley said.
The idea for IMPACT Day came from John Veysey, who works in plant engineering technical support and maintenance for Areva Inc.
“I came from Savannah, Ga., where I worked for five years with a group called Rebuilding Together and they do something real similar,” Veysey said.
AREVA sponsors a Habitat for Humanity House every three years and while working on their last project Veysey approached the non-profit about doing something similar to “Rebuilding Together.”
“I saw what they did with “Brush with Kindness” on their website and thought we could expand it to be like ‘Rebuilding’,” Veysey said.
Brush with Kindness helps low-income homeowners who are either elderly, disabled, or dealing with family emergencies maintain the exterior of their homes with painting, landscaping and home repair.
Once Veysey sparked the idea, Habitat for Humanity Tri-Cities has been preparing to introduce IMPACT Day to the Tri-Cities. Currently they are looking for both volunteers to work and sponsors to cover expenses for various projects.
Volunteers will be put on a team that will go out on IMPACT Day to perform the specific jobs, Shanley said.
Meanwhile businesses and individuals are invited to sponsor the teams. Sponsorships include: full house repair sponsorships for $2,000 which includes all repair supplies and volunteer t-shirts; garden and landscape sponsorship for $1,000 that cover costs for yard work completed on properties and team sponsorships which run from $1,000 – $2,000.
Team sponsors work to recruit teams for IMPACT day, attend a training session and select a project based on skill level and interest.
The organization is also taking applications for homeowners who need help on their property. To apply or to get more information visit www.habitatbuilds.com or call 943-5555.
