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| By Katelyn Gendron Reminder Assistant Editor WEST SPRINGFIELD Financing and conducting house repairs can be impossible endeavors for some homeowners, especially those on fixed incomes or those unable to perform the laborious activities. For the past nine years, members of West Side Helping Hands have made it their priority to aid those who are unable to complete home repairs at the annual Adopt a House Day. "There's a lot of people that fall through the cracks . I go into houses and see how tore up they are," Richard Polastry, member of West Side Helping Hands, said. "There are a lot of houses with the same kitchen, hallway or bathroom wallpaper for 40 years and they are peeling off the walls and they can't afford to take care of these things." Polastry added that, one house at a time, the volunteers "are really making a difference" in resident's daily lives. Diane Crowell, chair of West Side Helping Hands, explained that the committee operates on a limited basis as they depend on volunteer labor and donated materials. She noted that each year the committee is able to raise several thousand dollars to help residents repair siding, paint interiors and exteriors, replace windows or repair porches. Crowell explained that applicants for Adopt a House Day must qualify for assistance; they must be homeowners, be income eligible and must not be able to complete the work themselves or have family to perform the repairs. She noted that the most frequent requests are for roof repair, windows replacement and painting. Crowell added that due to safety reasons, the committee is not able to repair roofs. Single mothers, the elderly or residents with disabilities are the most common applicants, Crowell added. Applicant's homes will be inspected by members of West Side Helping Hands as part of the selection process. Applications for the 2009 Adopt a House Day can be obtained by calling Cheryl LeFebvre, administrative assistant in the Community Development Office at 263-3044. Applications are due by Oct. 31. |