AmeriCares HomeFront Program Refurbishes Local Properties

By Andrew Gorosko

A team of about two dozen volunteers hoisted rolls of tar paper, brushed on buckets of white paint, and took rakes in hand last Saturday at a Ferris Road home where, as part of the AmeriCares HomeFront program, they worked to greatly improve the physical condition of the premises.

The volunteers at the Gertsch residence at 8 Ferris Road were comprised mostly of members of the Newtown Lions Club, Newtown Congregational Church, and the Weston Young Woman’s Club. Tony Ratzing was the volunteer coordinator for the home improvement project.

AmeriCares volunteers also improved two other homes at undisclosed locations in Newtown and Sandy Hook. Those volunteers included members of the Knights of Columbus of Newtown.

The three home improvement projects in Newtown/Sandy Hook were part of an area effort in which 11 community groups participated. Volunteers also repaired homes in Bethel, Danbury, and New Fairfield.

During the weekend of May 1–2, approximately 125 faith-based organizations, civic groups, and corporate groups worked to improve 105 properties in western Connecticut and adjacent New York State as part of the 17th annual AmeriCares HomeFront program.

The program is designed to help senior citizens living on fixed incomes, single-parent families, disabled people, and people with limited funds. The program seeks to improve the quality of life of needful people at no cost to them. AmeriCares is a nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization based in Stamford.

Volunteer Sue Rothacker, of the Newtown United Methodist Church, worked quietly and efficiently with a rake near a garage at the Gertsch residence, as the percussive sounds of an old roof being removed and a new roof being applied could be heard in the distance.

Adults and teenagers encircled the home with tools in hand, attending to many maintenance and repair details.

Resident Erich Gertsch watched approvingly from his back yard as the workers made swift progress on improving his home.

The roof on the house was 40 years old and due for replacement, he explained. His physical limitations prevent him from undertaking the many tasks needed to maintain his property, he said.

Of the AmeriCares volunteers, Mr Gertsch said, “These are pretty beautiful people, nice people, very friendly.” The improvements that were made are “very beneficial,” he added.