People Working Cooperatively -- a positive story for today

[theHandpuppet]

Kudos to these volunteers who are making a real difference in their communities.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20090923/NEWS01/909240317/

Hissing possum adds spark to cleanup
By Cliff Radel • [email protected] • September 23, 2009

OAKLEY - Forty-seven bald tires. Six rusty cans of grease. Three smashed TVs. One grumpy possum.

All that and more emerged from Jim Walls' swayback garage Wednesday.

"I never should have let this happen," the 80-year-old retired agricultural engineer said over a chainsaw's roar. "But, by the time the shingles on the garage went, I had Parkinson's disease."

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People Working Cooperatively, a non-profit organization helping to keep people in their homes, has been on the case at Walls' house since June. City inspectors told him his backyard jungle had to go. But he could not do the work or pay to have it done. So, the non-profit came to the rescue.... much more.

People Working Cooperatively has chapters in the states of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina and South Carolina. I had never heard of this group before, but here's a short intro from their website at http://www.pwchomerepairs.org/about-pwc/pwc-story.aspx

Incorporated In 1975

People Working Cooperatively is a unique, non-profit organization serving low-income, elderly, and disabled homeowners. PWC strengthens communities by providing professional, critical home repairs, weatherization, modification, and maintenance services to help residents stay safely in their homes.

The story began with two men, a telephone, and a desk. From a garage in Covington, Kentucky, two employees and a small volunteer administration team set out to provide low-income households with minor home repair and weatherization services. During the year following its inception, PWC helped 43 low-income homeowners.

Now in its 34th year, PWC has proudly provided more than 215,000 services to eligible clients, who on average earn under $13,000 a year. Typically, these individuals face challenges due to illness, disability, job loss or other circumstances.

PWC is supported by a robust group of more than 90 licensed, professionally trained staff members and administrative personnel. Its dedicated corps of 6,000-plus volunteers makes it one of the largest volunteer corps in the region. Community members are invited to join PWC’s cause by participating in a number of volunteer opportunities throughout the year. This growing list of events includes Repair Affair, held each May to complete home repairs and modifications not otherwise funded by agency dollars, and Prepare Affair, held each November to help clients prepare for the approaching winter.