Volunteers to help with projects today

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Volunteers are lending a helping hand Saturday to make much-needed home improvements for local disabled persons, seniors and veterans during National Rebuilding Together Day.

Projects are coordinated by Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, a nonprofit agency whose goal is providing safe and healthy housing for low-income homeowners.

Projects include weatherizing, making plumbing and electrical repairs, patching and painting, cleaning, re-carpeting, siding, and landscaping.

“We are so grateful for the support of our many sponsors and the hard work of our volunteers,” said Michelle Larkin, Rebuilding Together founder and executive director.

The organization is helping 15 families in Saratoga County. Work days are also planned for Saturdays, May 6 and 13.

Nationwide, 40,000 volunteers are doing more than 1,600 Rebuilding Together projects across the country during National Rebuilding Month.

Two projects were begun last weekend in Stillwater. One was for an amputee whose home needed basic maintenance.

Another was for a wheelchair-bound veteran. Volunteers built a ramp at his home and made modifications to his bathroom.

“This particular project is sponsored by Sears through its Heroes at Home Program,” Larkin said.

Elsewhere, Saratoga Springs Rotary is assisting a 65-year-old woman with yard cleanup and ramp repairs. In Malta, Chazen Companies along with a Malta veterans group is building a ramp for a veteran. “Also, we are assisting a mother of teenage boys with allergies, in Clifton Park, to rip up carpets in their home,” Larkin said. “A spunky 86-year-old woman from Malta will receive help with her bathroom, floor, porch repairs and yard work. Ballston Spa National Bank employees will help with interior painting, and Saratoga Eagle employees will paint the home of an 81-year-old woman in South Glens Falls.”

Primary sponsors for local projects are Saratoga Builders Association and South High Marathon Dance. Other sponsors include Fingerpaint, Ianniello Anderson, P.C. and GlobalFoundries Town of Malta Foundation.

Since 2003, Rebuilding Together Saratoga County has renovated and revitalized 836 homes and 77 nonprofit centers with the help of more than 8,200 volunteers who have dedicated 49,500 hours of their time.

More volunteers are always needed and are welcome to sign up, Larkin said.

For information go to: www.RTSaratoga.org.

PHOTOS PROVIDED Rebuilding Together volunteers made deck and porch repairs at a local home during a recent work day. More projects are planned this Saturday and each of the next two weekends.

A volunteer work crew from McLean B. Construction made improvements to a Stillwater man’s home last weekend.