Carpenter’s Project Completes 52 Projects On 35 Homes

The Carpenter’s Project completed its 22 year of service last week with a long list of improvements to homes around the area.

Steven Miller has been the director of the Carpenter’s Project for 12 years now, and during that time there have been plenty of other moments and words and gestures and celebrations that have kept him and the other volunteers coming back year after year to serve the community.

“The homeowners are very appreciative,” Miller said. “Some of them are simply unable to do it themselves and some simply cannot afford to have the work done by an outside contractor.”

This year 150 volunteers worked over five days to transform communities and lives in the Ellwood City and Riverside School Districts. They were able to complete 52 projects on 35 homes (2 more projects and 1 more home than last year). The Carpenter’s Project has completed more than 1300 home repair projects during its 22 years.

76 volunteers assisted on work crews and 75 on non-work site crews. Work site crews include Paint crew, carpentry crew, power wash crew, and  brush removal crew. Non-worksite crews include kitchen crews, go-fers, etc.

“During the five-day work week, the volunteers were extremely helpful and giving of their time,” Miller said. “We had a number of youth volunteers ages 13 to 18.”

He said they had volunteers representing 23 churches, people who do not have a church, and the LEOs Club, a student service organization.

Miller said in addition to helping others, the comradery is unmatched.

“It’s so nice to be able to help out all these people and go out and get to do good things with my Carpenter’s Project family.”

According to Miller planning for the project begins in April when the group begins taking submissions for work requests as well as volunteer forms. Crews are then formed to perform exterior maintenance for those who are in need.  Crews include paint, carpentry, brush, and power wash. There is also volunteer work available for those who aren’t able to complete outside work but can help in the kitchen to prepare the breakfasts, lunches, and dinners that are provided to the volunteers on a daily basis.

“We are fed very well,” Miller said adding that three churches come together to provide the meals.

The project runs from Monday through Friday and volunteers can sign up for all days or any day they are available. Wednesday is a half day. Everyday starts with breakfast at 7 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. with dinner.

The project accepts homeowner requests as well as “nominations” of sorts from neighbors who might see a need in their community.

“It’s important to look out for your neighbors,” Miller said. “The project is based off of need and there is no judgement of finances.”

The Carpenter’s Project was born when Chuck and Marsha Timblin were brainstorming a way to get the youth of Ellwood City involved in the community. So, the Timblins paired up with then Fire Chief and Code Enforcement Officer Connie MacDonald to determine homes and community members that needed a little help. That first year a group of six churches worked to complete projects on at least 10 homes. This year 23 churches were involved.