Thursday, October 21, 2004

MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY: Home-repair army

500 volunteers ready to take on projects to aid elderly

PAUL L. ALLEN
Tucson Citizen
An army of about 500 dedicated volunteers will suit up for duty Sunday as part of Make a Difference Day, armed with hammers, rakes, paintbrushes, drywall, plumbing equipment and an abundance of enthusiasm.
They will tackle repair and cleanup projects ranging from lawn and house cleanup to installing new bathrooms at two homes. Twelve elderly people and three low-income senior housing projects are the beneficiaries.

The annual program is spearheaded by the Jewish Community Relations Council in partnership with the Tucson Police Department and the Pima Council on Aging. They are joined in the effort by more than four dozen companies and agencies in addition to individual volunteers. The national Make a Difference Day is Saturday, but because Tucson's program is sponsored by a Jewish organization, the work day was changed to Sunday.

Patty Vallance, co-chair of the project for JCRC, said, "Caseworkers in the field suggest projects to PCOA. We deal with seniors who don't have family or financial resources to maintain their property. We do major home repairs."
Vallance, who is heading the project for the second year in a row, added, "When I do this, I feel like I'm surrounded by angels." The project seems to generate spontaneous enthusiasm, she said.

TPD Lt. James McShea said, "PCOA came to us with a number of (potential) projects last year, so when we went out we had an opportunity to evaluate things to decide what needed to be done. Last year, we had about 60 department members and some of their family members."

He said the volunteers noted the need for smoke detectors, and contacted the Tucson Fire Department, which donated a number of those. They also installed locks, counseled elderly residents about potential fraudulent schemes and cleared brush and other debris.

Last year, Vallance said, three bathrooms were completely replaced, kitchens substantially remodeled and 70 large roll-off trailers, supplied by city of Tucson, were filled with debris to be hauled away.
A special kickoff breakfast will begin at 6:30 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center, southeast of the East River Road/North Dodge Boulevard intersection. Among those expected to attend are U.S. Reps. Jim Kolbe and Ra�l Grijalva, Tucson police Chief Richard Miranda and South Tucson police Chief Sixto Molina and Councilman Fred Ronstadt.

Repeat participants will include Andrew Karic and several of his employees at Triumph Builders Southwest. He said, "We stepped up to the plate last year and took on the three most challenging houses they had. We're in the construction business, and it made sense for us to do that.
"As a company, we believe it is important to give back to the community ... we feel it is much more gratifying to give of ourselves and our own time and the time of many people in my company than to write a check to some organization."

Another volunteer, Mark Vuletti, said he heard about the program through a friend, and shows up with his paint sprayer and a large weed-whacker. "I just like to help the elderly. Why not? If not for them, we wouldn't be here."
Vallance said cash donations amount to about $5,000 a year - most of which is spent on materials and supplies. Beyond that, "tens of thousands of dollars" worth of materials and supplies are donated.

She said would-be volunteers for Sunday's projects are asked to call 577-9393, and ask for Josh Protas. Those who come to work are asked to wear sturdy shoes and bring work gloves, sunscreen, water and lunch.
Those wishing to donate funds or materials may drop them off Sunday at the center. Particularly needed are garden tools, ladders and other equipment that can be used for home repair and yard maintenance.
Also needed are children's videos (VHS tapes), personal toiletries and home-cleaning supplies. Those not distributed on Sunday will be turned over to PCOA for distribution later.
Vallance said, "What the volunteers are doing is making miracles happen all over town. I want to see us beautify Tucson, creating miracles.
"Some of these people cry when we arrive because they're so ashamed of the condition of their homes, and when we leave, they cry again because a miracle happened here."