Let’s face it, we all need help sometimes. Whether it’s handling minor home repairs or getting a ride to the doctor’s office, having someone trustworthy to call makes all the difference.
When Ann needed a sturdy handrail installed, she knew exactly who to call: Easthampton Neighbors. She knew she could count on Paul, a dedicated volunteer, to take care of it. He had already fixed a bathroom faucet and replaced some rotted wood on her outside steps—and was always friendly and polite every time he paid a visit.
For Easthampton Neighbors volunteers who can do home repairs, safety and security are a major concern. “Paul found that some electrical outlets weren’t ground-faulted, and he fixed that too,” Ann says.
Her own concern grew when she got a Medicare notification about home safety, asking whether she had a handrail on her basement stairs. She realized that “there was nothing grabbable,” so together, she and Paul worked on installing a secure handrail.
For someone on a fixed income, “being able to do this for only the cost of parts is great, and Paul is a nice guy.”
As a volunteer, Paul says he looks for “handyman things I can do. I find those interesting and kind of challenging.” He brings his own tools and takes a patient, methodical approach to the task. He enjoys engaging in conversation, and considers this to be one of the best parts of this kind of volunteering.
In general, he’ll assess the job first, and if it’s too complex he’ll recommend calling in a pro. (No Easthampton Neighbors volunteer will take on any home repair that requires a license, such as electrical work or major plumbing.) When he’s sure he can get the job done, he admits he’ll be slower than a pro, but that allows time for conversation. This is OK with Ann, who agrees that it’s nice to talk and doesn’t mind if the job takes longer.
When members post service requests, “Volunteers don’t get assigned, they choose,” says Sharon Tilbe, Easthampton Neighbors’ volunteer coordinator. So when Paul checks the posts and sees a request from Ann, he’s happy to sign up to help.
Another project Paul took care of for Ann was a motion sensor light outside her back door. Now, she says, “I feel safer at night when I come home.”
Volunteers make the community stronger, and Easthampton Neighbors would not be possible without their commitment, dedication, and compassion. We appreciate their contributions every day, and especially during National Volunteer Week (April 21-27), we want to express our sincere gratitude for everything they do.
(Special thanks to Jordan Machowski for donating her photography services! JayMaePhotography)
