Fairfield Glade Resident Services has a new workhorse for its worker bees.
The nonprofit organization of community volunteers has bought a workshop trailer for its Home Safety Assistance program, which helps residents with projects they are unable to do themselves.
Father Michael Woods, pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Fairfield Glade, spoke to a group of FGRS volunteers at a showing of the trailer May 15 in the parking lot outside the group’s offices. He emphasized their importance to the community.
He compared them to “worker bees” who improve the community through their dedication as volunteer workers and to “pollinators” who through their spirit of volunteerism inspire others to join their ranks.
Woods also led a prayer for a blessing of the volunteers and for the trailer that will help the Home Safety Assistance program’s workers perform their services more efficiently.
“As we let this blessing come on this new opportunity to do better, keep everybody that touches the tools in this place safe, and wherever it goes may it be seen as an instrument of hope,” he said.
The trailer, which includes a workbench, miter saw and other equipment, cost $7,000. John Wedgworth, present of the group’s board, said it was funded entirely by donations from the community, including some who were recipients of the program’s services.
Phil Bachman, board vice president and coordinator of the home safety program, said workers previously had to bring their own big equipment to jobs. With the addition of the trailer, they no longer will have to do that.
The program’s services include installing grab bars around toilets and bathtubs and in showers; entrance ramps; and handrails on stairs, ramps and at entrance doors.
The homeowner pays for the materials for their projects. FGRS provides the installers free of charge.
There are eligibility requirements. More information about the program is available at www.fgrservices.org/home-safety.