Rebuilding Philly Together

Rebuilding Efforts a Success!

Thanks to more than 30 USG volunteers, spanning the previous two Saturdays, USG's effort to help three homeowners on West Clapier St. was a success.

Mayor Nutter addressed the many volunteers prior to the work beginning and emphasized the importance of helping people live with dignity in warm and safe homes. It was noted that this is RTP's 20th year and USG's second in making a difference in the lives of Philadelphia's poor.

We are especially thankful to the skill and devotion of Tim Parkany and his tireless effort in the renovations of the bathroom of one homeowner, Mrs. Gloria Hearne. Ms. Hearne received a new bathroom floor, vanity and sink and new toilet. Some of the more skilled volunteers also hung doors, repaired extensive wall and ceiling damage and installed a new beautiful floor in her kitchen. A large group of less skilled but enthusiastic volunteers also repainted the kitchen and upstairs hallway as well as cemented a portion of the basement walls.

We found it a pleasure to work with Mrs. Hearne, a warm friendly person living with serious health challenges.

There were two additional homes we worked in. Mrs. W, an immigrant from Panama, and Ms. M, an Army veteran. In these homes we faced the challenges of repairing and installing a back yard gate, treating and repairing termite damage on structural members in the basement, and a lot of scraping and painting. A dedicated band of volunteers reorganized Mrs. W's basement, and disposed a lifetime's worth of clutter. Mrs. W revealed that her husband, who had died three years previously, would never throw anything away.

In the picture you can see the planters that are part of the efforts this year. In conjunction with the Philadelphia Water Department, Rebuilding Philly is offering homeowners downspout planters. These planters slow down and capture the water from the down spout for growing flowers and watering the yard. In this way, less water finds its way into the sewer system. The weekend of June 2-3 will be devoted to making these planters in the Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia. If anyone wants
more info on that particular project, contact Linda Bernstein at  fambern@verizon.net. 

You can learn more about the work of Rebuilding Together at the website rebuildingphilly.org.