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Date: 10/5/2022
CHICOPEE – Revitalize Community Development Corporation not only staged its first major home repair project since the coronavirus pandemic started but had that first project in a city that the non-profit organization has not been in before.
The organization describes its mission as “Revitalize CDC performs critical repairs, modifications and rehabilitation on the homes and non-profit facilities of low-income families with children, the elderly, military veterans and people with special needs.
On Sept. 29, more than 50 people gathered on Melvin Street to work on four homes, one of which had major issues. Colleen Loveless, the president and CEO of the organization, told Reminder Publishing aside from several small projects in Springfield, this was the first major rebuilding project since COVID-19 started.
Ethel Griffin, director of the #GreenNFit Program, explained the home at 144 Melvin St., was owned by Eleanor Babcock, an elderly and disabled widow of a U.S. Air Force veteran. She has been in her home for 40 years.
Griffin described the goal of the work on Babcock’s property. Before Sept. 29, contractors replaced the steps to the front door of the home to give the homeowner a safe egress. Fifty-five volunteers gathered on Sept. 29 to tackle repairs to the deck, painting, yard work, the installation of new gutters, and other work.
Blue Cross Blue Shield suppled 15 volunteers as part of that company’s day of service. Other support and volunteers came from American Red Cross & Chicopee Fire Department, City of Chicopee, Baystate Health, Berkshire Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, CHD (Center for Human Development), Country Bank, Go Graphix, MassMutual Foundation, M&T Bank, Ondrick Natural Earth, PeoplesBank, Rocky’s Ace Hardware, TD Bank and Westfield Bank.
Griffin added that services at four other homes on Melvin Street owned by veterans or their families included yard improvements, the construction of a shed, the installation of handrails and roof repairs.
To make a donation or to volunteer, as well as nominating someone who needs help, go to https://www.revitalizecdc.com.