Project Mend-a-House Paints Home, adds Wheelchair Ramp

As Prince William volunteers help others on this National Day of Service, hundreds of county citizens have Project Mend-A-House volunteers to thank for their efforts year-round to repair homes for those who do not have the means to do so. On this day, 14 volunteers inspired to serve are painting the interior of a Manassas family’s home. And, a Woodbridge resident is using his new wheelchair ramp built by Project Mend-A-House volunteers to venture out into his community.

“The Project Mend-A-House volunteers were God’s gift to us,” said Margaret Kessinger, whose partner of 38 years, Willard Johnson, needed a wheelchair ramp to get out of their Triangle apartment for his medical appointments and other activities. After she applied and qualified for Project Mend-A-House assistance, the project was scheduled. Thirteen volunteers spent a total of 133 hours completing the ramp just before Christmas.

The National Day of Service calls attention to voluntarism, the hallmark of Project Mend-A-House. “Our volunteers are called to serve their Prince William neighbors every day of the year,” said Andrea Saccoccia, executive director. “No repair is too small for our volunteers if it means we can preserve someone’s independence and dignity.”

For nearly 30 years, Project Mend-A-House has served low-income seniors, veterans and disabled residents of Prince William County. Volunteers have built dozens of wheelchair accessible ramps, modified doorways, secured flooring, repaired leaky faucets, restored electricity and made numerous basic home repairs. Recently they completed restoration of four homes in the Holly Acres mobile home park after flooding had nearly destroyed the homes.
Project Mend-A-House welcomes applications from county residents who need home repairs, from a small leak to a wheelchair ramp to a new floor. Find the application form on the web site, pmahweb.org. Or call Project Mend-A-House at 703-792-7663 to request an application.

Volunteers are the backbone of this Prince William County non-profit. Those skilled in construction trades are particularly needed, but there are opportunities for all types of volunteers who want to lend a helping hand. The volunteer application form is also on the web site.