Nov 2009 Vol. 12 No. 11

 Local 180 volunteers in the community

It’s H.I.P. to help

Carpenters in Vacaville and Fairfield have been helping low-income seniors in their cities through the Housing Improvement Project (H.I.P.). Vacaville started the program in April 2006, Fairfield started in October of that year. Local 180 has participated since its inception.

The city advertises the H.I.P., which is free to qualifying seniors in the community. The city chooses a group of houses that need help and purchases the supplies, and trade unions donate the labor.

Back row (l-r): Anthony Aldrich, Ryan Alexander, Neil Ferguson, Geary Aldrich, Barbara Aldrich, Juan Carlos Torres
Center row (l-r): Frank Crim, Mark Delatorre, Jerry Castanon, Dana McGovern, Jhonatan Zavala, Juan Garcia, Manuel Cortez
Front row (l-r): Al Roberson, Edward Fadley, Dennis Wright, Jose Guardado.
Photo credit: Ron Rowlett

The list grows every year, but the typical things that carpenters handle include switching door handles to the lever style (making the doors easier to open); installing grab bars, raised toilet seats or hose-type showerheads in the bathroom; installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home; and cleaning the roof gutters.

But the list doesn’t end there. “We have moved furniture, mowed lawns, fixed decks, built handrails for stairs, dusted high spots in homes, removed trash inside and outside, fixed sheetrock holes, replaced screen doors, and the list goes on,” said Vacaville Councilmember and Local 180 field representative Ron Rowlett. “We try to do anything to make the seniors happy.”

It’s been a great experience for everyone involved—the Vacaville and Fairfield seniors and volunteers. “Although the work seems simple for us, the seniors are amazed how we get everything fixed for them,” Rowlett said. “I have seen seniors cry, I have seen them so overjoyed they want to hug you, feed you and or give you money. My volunteers and I look forward to each next event.”

To get involved, call Local 180: (707) 644-1040.

Here is the list of volunteers for the Fairfield H.I.P. 2009: Geary Aldrich, Barbara Aldrich, Al Roberson, Jhonatan Zavala, Jerry Castanon, Jose Guardado, Anthony Aldrich, Dana McGovern, Edward L Fadley, Frank Crim, Manuel Cortez, Ryan Alexander, Dennis Wright, Neil Ferguson, Juan Garcia, Mark Delatorre, Juan Carlos Torres, and Ron Rowlett.

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