Why wait for TV crews to help those in need?
It is a formula we have grown to anticipate. A deserving, hard-working, community-minded family is struggling, often with illness or finances - or both.They live in a house that is too small and falling down.
Suddenly, legions of volunteers led by Ty Pennington sweep in, transforming not only the neighborhood, but more importantly, lives. A new house is built. Opportunity is created where it was missing or, at best, in short supply.It's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
It's great television.
It's an even greater volunteer experience, one that can be a life-changer.
But why does it take a television show to move a community to help those in need?
I've posed that question most Sunday nights from the comfort of my couch, as I watch the show with my wife.
I posed the question to Tony Matinchek after he returned from working on the latest makeover project at Beaufort. It motivated him to contact Rock Hill schools to see what help they needed from local tradesmen.
I then asked others in Rock Hill who deal with volunteers daily
what would it take to replicate the success of the show here - without the television cameras and TV stars?
Their answer?
That's a good question, they said, one that needs to be asked - and answered.
Rock Hill and the surrounding region has legions of volunteers who are passionate about their issue or cause.
The warming stations operated by the United Way of York County are but one example of this can-do community.
Lora Holliday, community impact director of housing and stability for the United Way, helps oversee the stations. Night to night she is never sure who will show up to serve food to those in need. But every night during the winter someone comes, the food never stops. The stations provide food and warmth between 20 and 25 homeless nightly.
"The people come because of one issue, homelessness," she said.
But as the United Way employee responsible for the 35 member agencies that deal with food, clothing and shelter, Holliday sees lots of needs. Needs that might be filled by something modeled after "Extreme Makeover."
"The holes are there, there are needs that could be met," she said.
Other efforts such as Habitat for Humanity, Rolling in Rock Hill and World Changers annually take small steps to make life better for those needing better housing.
The city's Rolling in Rock Hill relies on volunteers to paint the houses of those who are either physically or financially unable to do it themselves. More than 250 homes have been painted, according to the city's website.
World Changers is sponsored by the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. One of its missions is eliminating substandard housing in communities. Each summer high school and college volunteers come to Rock Hill, making improvements to houses in need.
In its 17th year, World Changers hopes to bring as many as 350 volunteers to the city, repairing as many as 33 homes this year.
The York Baptist Association, which oversees World Changers, also works on about 10 homes a year using church volunteers.
Mike Wallace of the association said he wishes the numbers of homes could be more. He knows of people living in tents and cars that need permanent shelter.
With the economy struggling, Wallace and others acknowledge the needs will become even more severe. He estimates that 60 percent of the people his association helps are "new" to poverty.
Some who were donating the time, talents and money last year are among those seeking help this year. The prospect of fewer donations - and less assistance from government - makes the challenge is even more daunting.
Wallace, Holliday and Matinchek agree the volunteers are out there. The stumbling blocks to thinking bigger are money, coordination and community. But they agree, these obstacles could be overcome too.
So, again I ask the question, can a community band together to meet those in need without national television cameras? The question has been asked. I'm interested in your answers
It's great television.
It's an even greater volunteer experience, one that can be a life-changer.
But why does it take a television show to move a community to help those in need?
I've posed that question most Sunday nights from the comfort of my couch, as I watch the show with my wife.
I posed the question to Tony Matinchek after he returned from working on the latest makeover project at Beaufort. It motivated him to contact Rock Hill schools to see what help they needed from local tradesmen.
I then asked others in Rock Hill who deal with volunteers daily
what would it take to replicate the success of the show here - without the television cameras and TV stars?
Their answer?
That's a good question, they said, one that needs to be asked - and answered.
Rock Hill and the surrounding region has legions of volunteers who are passionate about their issue or cause.
The warming stations operated by the United Way of York County are but one example of this can-do community.
Lora Holliday, community impact director of housing and stability for the United Way, helps oversee the stations. Night to night she is never sure who will show up to serve food to those in need. But every night during the winter someone comes, the food never stops. The stations provide food and warmth between 20 and 25 homeless nightly.
"The people come because of one issue, homelessness," she said.
But as the United Way employee responsible for the 35 member agencies that deal with food, clothing and shelter, Holliday sees lots of needs. Needs that might be filled by something modeled after "Extreme Makeover."
"The holes are there, there are needs that could be met," she said.
Other efforts such as Habitat for Humanity, Rolling in Rock Hill and World Changers annually take small steps to make life better for those needing better housing.
The city's Rolling in Rock Hill relies on volunteers to paint the houses of those who are either physically or financially unable to do it themselves. More than 250 homes have been painted, according to the city's website.
World Changers is sponsored by the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. One of its missions is eliminating substandard housing in communities. Each summer high school and college volunteers come to Rock Hill, making improvements to houses in need.
In its 17th year, World Changers hopes to bring as many as 350 volunteers to the city, repairing as many as 33 homes this year.
The York Baptist Association, which oversees World Changers, also works on about 10 homes a year using church volunteers.
Mike Wallace of the association said he wishes the numbers of homes could be more. He knows of people living in tents and cars that need permanent shelter.
With the economy struggling, Wallace and others acknowledge the needs will become even more severe. He estimates that 60 percent of the people his association helps are "new" to poverty.
Some who were donating the time, talents and money last year are among those seeking help this year. The prospect of fewer donations - and less assistance from government - makes the challenge is even more daunting.
Wallace, Holliday and Matinchek agree the volunteers are out there. The stumbling blocks to thinking bigger are money, coordination and community. But they agree, these obstacles could be overcome too.
So, again I ask the question, can a community band together to meet those in need without national television cameras? The question has been asked. I'm interested in your answers
Read more: http://www.heraldonline.com/2011/01/27/2786204/why-wait-for-tv-crews-to-help.html#ixzz1DHNJZIgL
