Hearts & Hammers’ biggest workday ever is ready to roll early next month.
More than 400 volunteers will spread out around South Whidbey to repair more than 60 homes on Saturday, May 7.
Each year, the nonprofit makes needed repairs to homes whose owners are financially or physically unable to do the work themselves.
At 7:45 a.m., volunteers will gather at South Whidbey High School on Maxwelton Road in Langley for breakfast and to meet team members.
A photo will be taken of the entire group before everyone heads out to their assigned homes. Volunteers do whatever repairs and renovations are possible within the scope of a one-day work party.
Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, rakes, shovels or any other equipment their house captains request. Volunteers should also bring a lunch.
All age levels participate, from 18 to 80. Those younger than 18 need a permission slip from their parents, which is available online at www.heartsandhammers.com.
At the end of the workday, volunteers and homeowners are invited back at the high school for a meal provided by other volunteers, entertainment and a wrap-up of the day’s work.
Again this year, the Woodchucks contingent of Hearts & Hammers is looking for more firewood donations, board member Kevin Lungren said.
He said that because of the slowdown in building activity on the island, fewer trees are being cleared, so contributions are well below previous years.
Donated logs and firewood are collected at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland, where the Woodchucks cut it and deliver it to residents in need who heat their houses with wood.
Lungren said anyone wanting to contribute wood can drop it off on the east side of the church.
The Woodchucks also need volunteers with trucks, splitters and chainsaws, he added.
From its grassroots beginning in 1994, Hearts & Hammers has grown to include hundreds of volunteers.
They do whatever repairs and renovations are necessary, from building wheelchair ramps; repairing roofs, kitchens and bathrooms; electrical and plumbing; weatherization; heavy cleaning; yard work; and trash removal.
Also needed are people to deliver trash and recycling to transfer stations and to help the kitchen crew.
There’s no charge to the home-owners, who are selected by Hearts & Hammers in advance.
Costs are covered by grants and donations from service organizations, churches and individuals, by fundraising events and in-kind donations of labor and materials from South Whidbey businesses.
Hearts and Hammers hats, T-shirts and sweatshirts also will be available to purchase.
For more information, visit www.heartsandhammers.com.
