2019 marks the 30th year that ACCA has participated in Rebuilding Together (formerly Christmas in April). Over the past twenty-nine years, we have repaired and rehabilitated the homes of 123 low-income homeowners and non-profit housing facilities providing over 38,000 volunteer hours and insuring that low-income seniors, persons with disabilities and families with children have a safe, accessible and healthy environment in which to live.24 volunteers from St. Barnabas Episcopal, Annandale Ward – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Mt. Pleasant Baptist churches worked at the couple’s home. Volunteers prepared and painted peeling ceilings in the living room, dining room, bedroom and hall. They also made repairs to improve accessibility and safety–installing hand railings, a grab bar, a comfort height toilet, and smoke/CO monitors. In addition, they installed new LED light fixtures, repaired a leaking shower and improved bath ventilation with a new vent. Outside, team members prepped & painted the deck, soffits, windows, a table, and the garage door, and installed a new back entry door to the garage. Others mowed the lawn and did yard cleanup.
The homeowners, who had come to the U.S. from Vietnam as refugees in the late 1970s, were thrilled with all the work, especially the new grab bar at the front entry and said they were forever grateful to have their home safer and more beautiful.
At the Pathway home for Homeless adults with mental and physical impairments, 37 volunteers from John Calvin & Providence Presbyterian, Ravensworth Baptist and Holy Spirit Catholic churches, performed a variety of tasks, the largest of which was installation of a large French drain to alleviate considerable flooding in the front of the house. This took 8-10 men working for 4+hours –true sweat equity! Others repaired & painted a ramp and picnic table, replaced 2 window wells, and seeded & mulched the lawn. Inside, volunteers painted areas in the kitchen, hall and a handrail. They also installed 2 new toilets & repaired a third, replaced the dryer vent, cleaned the heat vents, installed a new showerhead, fan and grab bar in the shower plus 2 fire extinguishers.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered, provided food & supported our work through their donations. Rebuilding Together is a very special ministry and it blesses the volunteers as much as the recipients of our help.
