Many are blessed by Together for Lincoln
Hundreds serve together on one work day

[September 24, 2014]  LINCOLN - Several churches joined together to serve the community in various ways as part of the 7th Annual Together for Lincoln day on Sunday, September 21, 2014.

Approximately 300 volunteers worked on 30 general projects such as yard clean-up, window washing, and general construction.

Kaye Wessbecher said that there were also ten weatherization projects, which included window and door replacement. Those whose homes were being weatherized expressed gratitude for the work being done. For instance, Waylon Turner, who had four people replacing five windows in his house said that everyone was doing a great job and he appreciated all they were doing, noting it was a wonderful day for this work.

Rob Hall, who has helped with Together for Lincoln for several years, was having windows replaced. He mentioned that he and his wife have had health problems and medical bills have piled up, but the windows needed to be replaced. As with many other families, Hall said they get so busy working, it can be difficult to get everything done. He expressed appreciation for the service provided saying it is very good to have this help.

On Together for Lincoln Sundays, Hall said that he also enjoys seeing all the churches putting aside their differences for a day of labor together.

Terry Cooley was having nine windows replaced at her home. She is very happy to get new windows put in by the seven volunteers who were there. She observed that it would be very expensive to replace all these windows if she had to do it herself. She expressed delight that these windows "will tilt in, making it easier to get them clean."

Some of the weatherization projects take more than one day. For instance, those working at the home of Martha Pagel are replacing ten windows. Volunteers started Saturday so they would know what needed to be done and indicated they may need another day to finish the trimming. The work requires outside and inside trimming.

Precise measuring must be done to secure the windows. Local balloonist Jim Phelan joked that "it is harder than flying a balloon." Pagel said the work they are doing is "like a miracle for me, . . . an enormous blessing." She pointed out that the old windows had developed black mold and were extremely hard to clean.

Another homeowner, Polly Riggs, declared she was very blessed by the work of the volunteers. She described their work as "a gift from God," and "a blessing I cannot put into words." She said the home needed a lot of work when she bought it and she could not afford to do all the weatherization and purchase windows on her own.

The new windows are double thermal paned with insulation added around the edges during installation, and then each was caulked to prevent air leaks; all of which will offer significant energy savings, surely a relief after last year’s record cold temperatures.

At each of these projects, the volunteers were hard at work with smiles on their faces and the homeowners expressed extreme gratefulness for the services rendered. As a result of volunteers sharing their time and resources, these families will be warmer and more comfortable this winter.

And, when those cold days come, all will have the happy memories of a warm fall day when everyone came and worked ‘Together for Lincoln.’

[By ANGELA REINERS]