Project Home's Hammer with a Heart update
Over the last eleven years, 85 low-income families, in 27 Dane County communities, have received major repairs
valued at approximately $950,000 through the Hammer with a Heart program. With an average investment of
$10,000 in each home, this year, our community-building event will surpass $1 million in home repair values since
the program’s inception in 2002. With the support of the community, Hammer with a Heart has been able, and will
continue, to not only repair people’s homes, but also change their lives. Visit our website at www.projecthomewi.org
for more information.
On Friday, May 3, Madison Area Builders Association volunteers will begin the tear-off of Garry’s roof and siding.
On Saturday, May 4, community volunteers (Candy and Potter from Q106 and a group of listeners) will join the
Madison Area Builders crew (over 30 volunteers total) to install new roofing and siding, do interior painting and finish
remodeling Garry’s kitchen.
Program Sponsor: Wells Fargo
House Sponsor: Madison Area Builders Association
Materials Sponsor: Associated Bank
valued at approximately $950,000 through the Hammer with a Heart program. With an average investment of
$10,000 in each home, this year, our community-building event will surpass $1 million in home repair values since
the program’s inception in 2002. With the support of the community, Hammer with a Heart has been able, and will
continue, to not only repair people’s homes, but also change their lives. Visit our website at www.projecthomewi.org
for more information.
On Friday, May 3, Madison Area Builders Association volunteers will begin the tear-off of Garry’s roof and siding.
On Saturday, May 4, community volunteers (Candy and Potter from Q106 and a group of listeners) will join the
Madison Area Builders crew (over 30 volunteers total) to install new roofing and siding, do interior painting and finish
remodeling Garry’s kitchen.
Program Sponsor: Wells Fargo
House Sponsor: Madison Area Builders Association
Materials Sponsor: Associated Bank
Hammer with a Heart 2013
Project Home’s 12th annual Hammer with a Heart program and its generous skilled
crews will provide free major home repairs for nine families in Dane County. Each
spring, Hammer with a Heart makes crucial repairs and health and safety
improvements for low-income homeowners, with all volunteer labor and many
donated materials. Milio’s Sandwiches has become the event’s official Lunch
Sponsor as they will donate lunch for all 200 volunteers participating on May 4th.
Each year, Hammer with a Heart volunteers install new roofs, siding, doors, windows
and make accessibility modifications to kitchens and bathrooms. They also meet
incredible people with compelling stories - some will leave lasting impressions. This
year, one of them is Garry Hodgins.
Garry, 65, has lived in his south-side home for 25 years. He is a two-time cancer
survivor and an Army veteran. He is also the father of two, grandfather of five and a
great grandfather to three.
Project Home’s 12th annual Hammer with a Heart program and its generous skilled
crews will provide free major home repairs for nine families in Dane County. Each
spring, Hammer with a Heart makes crucial repairs and health and safety
improvements for low-income homeowners, with all volunteer labor and many
donated materials. Milio’s Sandwiches has become the event’s official Lunch
Sponsor as they will donate lunch for all 200 volunteers participating on May 4th.
Each year, Hammer with a Heart volunteers install new roofs, siding, doors, windows
and make accessibility modifications to kitchens and bathrooms. They also meet
incredible people with compelling stories - some will leave lasting impressions. This
year, one of them is Garry Hodgins.
Garry, 65, has lived in his south-side home for 25 years. He is a two-time cancer
survivor and an Army veteran. He is also the father of two, grandfather of five and a
great grandfather to three.
| Garry Hodgins with his dog Zorba. |
Garry has always been a self-reliant person, but
after a second bout with a cancer, things
changed.
“The cancer treatments were rough, both
physically and financially. After going through it
once, I thought ‘ok, you can move on from this’, but
then to go through it a second time…..that really
set me back.” Garry said.
Although he’s seen his share of hard times, Garry
is genuinely a happy and positive person.
“Garry has a spark, a cheerfulness about him.” noted Jason Hafeman of Project Home’s Hammer with a Heart. “Garry’s
a great guy and he’s been a part of this neighborhood for a long time. He has been so gracious and thankful for
everything we have been able to help him with.” echoed Al Terry, owner of Stealth Security, LLC and crew leader for the
Madison Area Builders Association volunteer crew, now in its 10th year coordinating a project for Hammer with a Heart.
This year Terry will be joined by Dave Mills of ProBuild to lead the work on the Madison Area Builders Association house.
a great guy and he’s been a part of this neighborhood for a long time. He has been so gracious and thankful for
everything we have been able to help him with.” echoed Al Terry, owner of Stealth Security, LLC and crew leader for the
Madison Area Builders Association volunteer crew, now in its 10th year coordinating a project for Hammer with a Heart.
This year Terry will be joined by Dave Mills of ProBuild to lead the work on the Madison Area Builders Association house.
When things do become
difficult, Hodgins turns to his
life-long passion of cooking.
He said, “When I come in
here (his kitchen) and can
make something, it’s like all
of the bad stuff goes away for
awhile.”
Once Al Terry learned of how
difficult, Hodgins turns to his
life-long passion of cooking.
He said, “When I come in
here (his kitchen) and can
make something, it’s like all
of the bad stuff goes away for
awhile.”
Once Al Terry learned of how
how important cooking is to this homeowner, he immediately wanted to make Garry’s kitchen part of the Madison Area
Builders Association project.
“He (Garry) has been through a lot, and as a vet, has done so much for the people of this country. I want to make his
kitchen more functional, so he can do what he loves to do.” stated Terry.
Builders Association project.
“He (Garry) has been through a lot, and as a vet, has done so much for the people of this country. I want to make his
kitchen more functional, so he can do what he loves to do.” stated Terry.
Hodgins was overwhelmed when he was told his kitchen was
going to be renovated through Hammer with a Heart.
“This (his kitchen) is my sanctuary. To know that Al and his
crew are going to fix this for me is……I’m at a loss for words.”
The kitchen is only the beginning. The Madison Area Builders
Association volunteers are also going to replace Garry’s roof,
siding and windows – most of which are very difficult to open, or
cannot be opened at all. They will also replace his 42 year old
furnace, with a new energy efficient model, which will more
effectively heat his home and reduce Garry’s energy usage and
bills. These projects will take several weeks to complete with
over twenty tradespeople volunteering their time. A number of
products and materials have been donated, while some will be
purchased by the program.
going to be renovated through Hammer with a Heart.
“This (his kitchen) is my sanctuary. To know that Al and his
crew are going to fix this for me is……I’m at a loss for words.”
The kitchen is only the beginning. The Madison Area Builders
Association volunteers are also going to replace Garry’s roof,
siding and windows – most of which are very difficult to open, or
cannot be opened at all. They will also replace his 42 year old
furnace, with a new energy efficient model, which will more
effectively heat his home and reduce Garry’s energy usage and
bills. These projects will take several weeks to complete with
over twenty tradespeople volunteering their time. A number of
products and materials have been donated, while some will be
purchased by the program.
| Garry's kitchen |
On the morning of Saturday, May 4 (the official Hammer with a Heart day), more than a dozen community volunteers
(Candy and Potter from Q106 [106.3 FM] and a group of their listeners) will join the skilled volunteers to help paint,
clean, recycle and assist where needed. The goal is to finish the project by the end of Saturday, May 4.
(Candy and Potter from Q106 [106.3 FM] and a group of their listeners) will join the skilled volunteers to help paint,
clean, recycle and assist where needed. The goal is to finish the project by the end of Saturday, May 4.
“Through Hammer with a Heart, we are able to take a weight off of people
that are carrying a heavy load. These are seniors, veterans, families with
young children, people that are handicapped or have had significant health
issues, and they need a hand. This is a big program, and it would not be
possible without the generosity, dedication and support of our sponsors,
donors, and skilled and community volunteers. They are the ones that
bring Hammer with a Heart to life and make all of this possible. I cannot
thank them enough.” said Jason Hafeman of Project Home.
that are carrying a heavy load. These are seniors, veterans, families with
young children, people that are handicapped or have had significant health
issues, and they need a hand. This is a big program, and it would not be
possible without the generosity, dedication and support of our sponsors,
donors, and skilled and community volunteers. They are the ones that
bring Hammer with a Heart to life and make all of this possible. I cannot
thank them enough.” said Jason Hafeman of Project Home.