Together for Lincoln seeking volunteers

[September 07, 2012]  As Together for Lincoln nears its Sept. 29 community service project day, it has plenty of projects to complete. In order to complete the projects, organizers are in need of several hundred more volunteers. These volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks, which range from visiting people in the nursing home to constructing wheelchair ramps. Of the 107 projects already submitted, about a third involve installation of windows for weatherization projects.

"This is the first year we have taken on weatherization projects, and we have been amazed by the response," said Norm Newhouse, Together for Lincoln president. "We need volunteers for all projects, but especially for carpentry projects such as window installation."

Newhouse went on to say that TFL would help to equip anyone with basic carpentry skills in order to prepare them to install windows.

"We are in dire need of expert carpenters, but we also really need those with basic to intermediate carpentry skills as well," he said.

While Together for Lincoln is no longer accepting applications for home improvement, volunteers are still being accepted. One of the volunteer coordinators, Caroline Higgins, requests that volunteers sign up as soon as possible, as the pairing of projects and workers will begin within the next week.

"Volunteer numbers are behind normal so far," says Higgins. "It will take several hundred more volunteers to complete all of the projects."

Those wishing to volunteer for any project area may do so by signing up at http://togetherforlincoln.com/
GetInvolved.aspx, or they may pick up a paper application from the State Bank of Lincoln Wal-Mart location, Oasis Senior Center or through partner churches.

Together for Lincoln is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. In its four previous annual community service days, over 3,200 volunteers representing at least 15 area churches have worked together to complete more than 400 service projects.