GSR Andrade employees participated once again in the annual Hearts & Hammers project – providing general maintenance and repair on the home of a delightful senior near our office. We were greeted at her door at 7:30 a.m. on the first work day with homemade poundcake!
A team of 10-12 GSRA staff (and spouses) worked all day on two consecutive Saturdays preparing the house for a fresh coat of paint; replacing rotted and warped eaves; replacing screen doors; and repairing damaged siding.
The homeowner was overwhelmed with joy when she inspected the finished project….just what we were hoping for!
History
Hearts and Hammers is a non-profit organization formed in 1986 by former Peace Corps Volunteer, Bob Walker. From one home painted by 24 volunteers the first year, the project has grown to three thousand volunteers who have refurbished close to a thousand homes
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A seven member board of directors and a 40+ member council, coordinate the workings of this all volunteer group. Our mission is to repair the homes of low income homeowners, most of who are elderly and disabled. City building inspectors identify the homes in need of repair. The homeowners are qualified through the People Helping People group of the Dallas City Department of Housing and Neighborhood Services. Hearts and Hammers then recruits volunteer teams through businesses, churches, civic groups and schools to work on the homes.
Once teams have been organized, Hearts and Hammers provides guidance to team captains in organizing volunteers and working on the homes. The repairs weatherize and beautify the home and bring many of the buildings up to city code. Hearts and Hammers determines the materials needed, what professional assistance is needed, then orders and warehouses the materials. Some materials are donated, some funds come from personal and business donations and some funds come from the City of Dallas and HUD. The Hearts and Hammers Planning Council members coordinate all activities on project days and provide support throughout the year to team captains. The project happens on two Saturdays once a year, usually in the fall.
