Mission Next Door Progress in 2009

A primary function of Mission Next Door is providing minor home repairs for those who are financially or physically unable to meet these needs. We have provided below a brief description of the nature of the projects as well as costs and levels of volunteer effort involved for both larger work projects and a series of less extensive mini- projects through which we have provided helping hands to some of our neighbors during 2009.

In total we completed or made major progress on 13 work projects and 31 Helping Hands projects during 2009. These activities were supported by $9113 of funds from Mission Next Door and $2200 of costs to others. Over 875 volunteer hours were donated by MND workers during 2009.

Work Projects

Project 1:

The worn-out den carpet, which was a tripping hazard for a disabled lady near Brownsburg, was replaced with vinyl. Installation was by Lowes and funding assistance was provided by both the Brownsburg Ruritans and ladies of the Moose Club. MND costs were $ 300 of the total cost of $ 720. 4 person hours were donated.

Project 2:

Replacement and trimming of two windows was completed for a family in Rockbridge Baths to finish a major home renovation project begun in 2008. 2009 costs were $ 417 and 30 person hours were donated.

Project 3:

Three windows were replaced for a family in Natural Bridge to complete a renovation effort begun in 2008. Costs were $338 and 24 person hours were donated.

Project 4:

Assistance in planning and plumbing a bathroom addition of sister church, Asbury Methodist, was provided, and a special “up-flush” toilet, which was purchased to meet below-grade carriage demands. Cost to date have been $1108 and 16 person hours have been donated.

Project 5:

The leaking shingle roof of a Buena Vista lady was replaced and chimney flashing was repaired. Costs were $1428 and 120 person hours were donated.

Project 6:

The porch and lattice of a partially disabled lady near Brownsburg was cleaned and painted. Residual paint (no-cost) was used on this project that involved 13 donated person hours.

Project 7:

A 50 foot combination of wheel chair ramps and decks was built for an elderly woman in Fairfield. Costs of $ 773 were partially reimbursed by $700 payback by relatives. A total of 122 person hours were donated.

Project 8:

A 25 foot rampway railing was constructed to provide a safe trailer home entry for a Fairfield lady. Costs were $196 and 24 person hours were donated.

Project 9:

A leaking roof was repaired and gutters were cleaned and repaired for an elderly and disabled Fairfield couple. Cost was $25 and 9 person hours were donated.

Project 10:

A doorway and bathroom were modified to accommodate the needs of a disabled child for a family in a trailer home in Goshen. This project is still in progress and has cost $54 and 48 person hours to date.

Project 11:

Three windows were replaced for a single mother with children in a Buena Vista home. Windows were obtained from the ReHabitat Store at a cost of $27 and 42 person hours were donated.

Project 12:

Extensive renovation, involving installing new vinyl siding on the exterior and installation of new interior paneling and painting inside, helped prepare a trailer home for a single father with two children for occupancy. Final plumbing hookups will be made in 2010. Costs have been $1631 and 290 person hours have been donated to date.

Project 13:

A toilet was stabilized with both floor repairs and new mounting hardware and a new vanity and bathroom sink fixtures were purchased and installed in the bathroom of the mobile home of a disabled Glasgow lady. This home also required a new electrical junction box and some refurbished wiring. Costs were $450 and 14 person hours were donated in addition to charged time for an electrician and plumber.

Helping Hands Projects

  1. Paid for professional guttering of Goshen home. Cost:$ 300.
  2. Repaired and secured siding on home near Brownsburg.
  3. Arranged for electrical repair ($750 donated labor and materials) for Natural Bridge family
  4. Picked up and delivered carpeting for a disabled Brownsburg lady.
  5. Paid plumber to connect hot water to Lexington home of single mother with 4 children. Cost $75.
  6. A barbeque pork fundraiser by Bethesda Presbyterian raises $ 1000 for MND.
  7. Repaired roof leak for disabled lady near New Providence (two visits).
  8. Facilitated scheduling repair of Simmons home in Augusta with Rebuilding Together.
  9. Facilitated loan refinancing discussions by disabled Brownsburg resident with two institutions. No near-term solutions were found.
  10. Prepared a successful proposal to Washington and Lee University Community Grants Program that raised $2000 for MND Projects.
  11. Facilitated replacement of predatory home financing with much more favorable loan rates for a senior Buena Vista lady.
  12. A fund raising work project involving fence construction by Timber Ridge Presbyterian raised $2000 for MND projects.
  13. Fairfield Presbyterian provided meals for workers in Projects 5 and 7.
  14. Contributed $75 of materials costs for handicapped ramp construction by others in Lexington.
  15. Review TAP activities in support of Natural Bridge lady’s trailer insulation and wrote letter and called TAP advocating additional insulation and repair.
  16. Fixed emergency plumbing needs in trailer home of Fairfield lady. A professional plumber was utilized. Cost: $ 67.
  17. Five MND churches collaborated to hold a bazaar that raised $9000 for Mission Next Door activities.
  18. Teamed up with Rebuilding Together to visit and assess serious structural weakness in a Warm-Springs family's trailer home. See also HH 30.
  19. Ordered quartz heater to supplement home heating capacity for disabled Brownsburg lady. Arranged funding through Brownsburg Ruritans. Cost:$461.
  20. Advocated for disabled Brownsburg resident with letter to establish her relationship to New Providence and authorize her eligibility to receive new eyeglasses.
  21. Authorized payment for windows and insulation for single Collierstown father of two to allow him to start remodeling his trailer home prior to team efforts on Project 12.
  22. Ordered and paid for propane connection for a heater for disabled Brownsburg lady. Cost: $196.
  23. Repaired leaks in roof of single mother of two in Buena Vista and assessed project needs for more extended work later.Cost: $ 60.
  24. Paid for professional guttering repair and partial replacement on home of disabled couple in Fairfield (Project 9). Cost: $105.
  25. Ordered and checked out quartz heater for family in Goshen (Project 10). Brownsburg. Ruritans paid $400 cost.
  26. Ordered and checked out quartz heater for family in Project 12. MND Cost: $400.
  27. Emergency electrical repair was provided in the home of lady in Fairfield. No charge.
  28. Oxford Presbyterian provided meals to workers on Project 12 on three occasions.
  29. Replaced existing sink cabinets in trailer with a newer system from Habitat Restore. Cost: $25.
  30. Funded $393 of materials to permit emergency reinforcement of trailer roof in Warm Springs under severe snow loads. See HH # No. 18.
  31. Bethesda youth raised $600 to provide Christmas presents to the children of the family in Project 12.
Mission Next Door Projects