CONNEAUT —
Undeterred by a sizzling start, dozens of people have again picked up hammers, saws and paint brushes to help improve living conditions for neighbors.
The Loving Equally All Families program is in the midst of a week-long humanitarian program that — when finished — will have spruced up many houses in the Conneaut area. This year marks the eighth time LEAF has rallied volunteers to lend a hand on behalf of strangers, said Don Palm, who is coordinating the event.
The 2012 version features a work force that’s fewer in number but no less dedicated or talented, Palm said.
“We have about 40 workers this year,” he said. “I’m more than happy with what we have. It’s all working well.”
Help is always welcome, however, Palm said. Laborers or anyone willing to lend a hand can report to LEAF headquarters at St. Mary’s Hall on State Street to request an assignment. Tasks will be tailored to the volunteers’ talents.
Volunteers come from a number of churches in Conneaut and the surrounding area, including Andover, Painesville and Mentor. While many are in the field, tackling home improvement chores, others are at work at St. Mary’s Hall, arranging work assignments, handling clerical chores or preparing meals.
This year, volunteers are building a new porch, installing skirting around a mobile home, applying paint and fixing roofs, among other projects. Fifty-three property owners applied for LEAF assistance, and about 30 were accepted, Palm said.
Supplies used during the week are purchased through cash gifts and donations of merchandise. Many businesses and churches have stepped forward with contributions, including McDonald’s, Marcy Funeral Home and Conneaut’s Dairy Queen restaurant.
“The residents and the merchants have been more than gracious and more than generous,” Palm said.
Work began on a scorching Saturday, when temperatures climbed into the high 90s. Despite the heat, people persevered, Palm said.
‘It was brutal, just brutal,” he said. “We made sure everyone was drinking plenty of liquids.”
The program concludes Saturday. On that day, work will cease mid-afternoon so volunteers and the homeowners who benefited from their work can break bread at a celebratory dinner and closing program.
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