March 23, 2016
Volunteers are needed for the Hearts & Hammers workday on Saturday, May 7, celebrating 23 years of ‘neighbors helping neighbors.’ Now is the time for volunteers to sign up and take part in the largest volunteer gathering on South Whidbey. Over 30 homeowners will be helped this year.
The annual workday, always the first Saturday in May, will bring needed repairs to homeowners who physically or financially are unable to do the work alone. There is no cost to the homeowners, thanks to volunteers, donations and in-kind donations of material from our local lumber yards and supply retailers.
Join the excitement and satisfaction of giving one day of your life, together with hundreds of volunteers from across this community, to help many South Whidbey neighbors stay in their homes. This workday is one of the largest community efforts to help repair homes for families, the elderly and disabled. Hearts and Hammers needs volunteers to sign up now, so teams can be formed under the direction of house/project captains. Volunteers perform whatever repairs and renovations are reasonable within the scope of a one-day work party.
The needs this year range from repairing roofs, building wheelchair ramps and replacing doors and windows to cleanup, floor repairs, trash removal and meal preparation/service for the volunteers. All skill levels are welcome.
Volunteers will gather, rain or shine, on Saturday morning, May 7 at the South Whidbey High School for a breakfast snack and directions. A photo will be taken of the entire group just before everyone heads out to the various homes all over South Whidbey. At the end of the day volunteers gather again at the high school for a delicious dinner and a fun wrap-up of the day’s accomplishments.
The volunteers are as diverse as the community; some are contractors, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, gardeners and many are just regular folks. All enjoy the satisfaction of lending a hand to their community and the camaraderie of working side by side with their friends and neighbors. It is a hard-working, yet gratifying day, where old friends get together and new friends are made. At the end of the day, despite the fatigue, smiles and laughter abound. This is truly a community endeavor.
Donations are still needed to accomplish the work this year. Donors and volunteers can go on line at www.heartsandhammers.com to sign up and/or donate. Alternatively, signup sheets are also available at: Ace Hardware, Sebo’s, Hanson’s, Frontier Lumber, Trinity Lutheran Church and Island Athletic Club. Forms and donations can be mailed to PO Box 694, Langley, WA. 98260.