Margaret, one of our Outreach Services participants, lived and raised a family in her home for over 40 years. Although it wasn’t much, it held countless happy memories. The house, however, had deteriorated over the years, and had become unsafe for Margaret, 81, to live in. At her age and with her limited income, purchasing a brand new home just wasn’t an option. All she could afford was a humble, used mobile home that was in need of some remodeling.
While her home was becoming unsafe, her outside surroundings, including countless species of beautiful flowers, were flourishing. The contrast served to highlight the need for a change, and for a home in which she could live in comfort and safety.
Fortunately for Margaret, she was surrounded by caring family members. Two of her daughters, Janet and Virginia, volunteered their time and efforts to the task of getting the mobile home ready for their mother. The boss of Janet’s stepdaughter donated countertops and cabinets. CAP’s Outreach Services office was contacted to see if they could provide any assistance in the family’s remodeling efforts.
Outreach caseworkers helped provide Margaret the help she desperately needed. The caseworkers provided funds to help purchase remodeling supplies, and in return, the daughters contributed lots of sweat equity. Having learned the necessary skills from their father, Janet and Virginia laugh at the suggestion that they need men to help with the job that lay before them.
At first, the family felt a little overwhelmed at all the work that needed to be done, but jumped in and were soon making progress. “The more we worked, the more we wanted to,” Janet remembers. Both Janet and Virginia joke that they each had lost 15 pounds during the remodeling, and that was when they were only near the halfway point.
Margaret’s family is truly one that is hardworking and grateful of CAP’s help. The funding provided to the family helped purchase plywood, drywall sheets, boards insulation, and miscellaneous remodeling supplies. Margaret will in turn repay a portion of the cost.
As it turns out, this is not this family’s first contact with CAP. Janet remembers years ago being a participant in CAP’s Christmas Basket program, which is still operated by Outreach Services. Janet fondly remembers receiving a doll from a far-off sponsor, with whom the family ended up corresponding for quite some time. Janet still has the doll to this day, a remembrance not only of her youth but of CAP’s commitment to the children and families of eastern Kentucky as well.
Much has been done on Margaret’s new home. Every room has seen changes and improvements, not to mention hours of hard work, laughter and fellowship. Janet and Virginia have hammered, sawed, painted, wallpapered, and done everything else necessary to ensure that their mother’s home was ready for her to move in.
Today, the only task left is to install carpeting, and Margaret will once again have a comfortable, safe home to call her own. Her family no longer has to worry about their mother being injured or suffering ill health because of where she lives. She will be warm and cozy in the winter, and cool and comfortable in the summer. Best of all, everywhere she looks, she sees the manifestation of her daughters’ love.
“It’s nice to have your own place,” Margaret said gratefully, as she watched her daughters hard at work on her home.
CAP is proud to be able to help people like Margaret, who are willing to help themselves and just need a little assistance to get things going. We are also proud of our donors, for without you, we would not be able to provide the funding necessary for small repairs that have a huge impact. Thank you, and God bless you, for your continued support of CAP, and of programs like Outreach Services!
