Summerhill

Fixer-upper - Give (11 NOV 05)

Nov 19, 2006

In the early '90s, attorney Jeff Woodward got in the habit of gathering some friends on Saturdays for a day of fixing up homes belonging to his low-income neighbors in the Summerhill community. Woodward's vision lives on through the Atlanta Community Tool Bank's home repair program, which serves low-income senior citizens, the disabled and single mothers, providing no-cost repairs to owner-occupied homes in the communities of Summerhill, Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh, Peoplestown and Adair Park.

The Tool Bank also operates a Tool Lending Library, which lends tools to Atlanta nonprofit organizations, schools and churches for a nominal handling charge. And its Rescue & Reuse program collects surplus building materials -- paint, lumber, nails, and so forth -- for redistribution.

What You Can Do

The Tool Bank's home repair program needs volunteers. "We are always in need for folks who can help us with carpentry because we build quite a few wheelchair ramps," says program manager Lisa Garcia. They also need volunteers experienced in light plumbing, light electrical work and roofing repairs. For info, call 404-880-0054 or visit www.toolbank.org.

by
THOMAS BELL