THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 25, 1996 TAG: 9604230146
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
When Ethelene Smith found out that her house had been selected by Norfolk Rotarians for their annual ``Paint Your Heart Out'' project, she could barely contain her joy.
``I was just hollering; I was so excited,'' said Smith, a 62-year-old Huntersville resident. ``It was a blessing come from the sky. I couldn't believe those people were actually going to help me.''
For more than 15 years, Smith, who suffers with severe asthma, has watched her home crumble before her eyes. She purchased the house in 1980 while working as a clerk at a Norfolk jewelry store. But six years ago, she became disabled and could no longer work.
With little money to hire help and unable to do any maintenance herself, Smith, a widow, watched in horror as her home deteriorated. Over the years, the wooden trim on the exterior rotted, holes began to appear around the foundation, and the shingles on the siding and roof eroded.
Now, thanks to community volunteers, her two-story home finally is getting a much-needed face lift.
Crews from the submarine tender L.Y. Spear have been working for more than a week repairing and sprucing up the house as part of the citywide beautification effort. They will continue until work on the home is completed.
``Usually, we just do minor repairs, such as fixing screens or repairing steps, and we do it all in one day,'' said Ann Baldwin, one of the coordinators of the citywide project. ``But sometimes we have to do more. We're trying to help people who just don't have the means for one reason or another to help themselves.''
For the past two years, members of the Norfolk Rotary clubs and dozens of other community volunteers have taken a day each spring to fan out across the city, painting and repairing homes for qualified low-income elderly homeowners. This year, ``Paint Your Heart Out'' is Saturday, April 27.
A nationwide project, ``Paint Your Heart Out'' was started in Hampton Roads by the Chesapeake Rotary clubs four years ago. More than 100 homes in Chesapeake have been painted and repaired since then.
The Norfolk clubs expanded the project to their city last year. In their first effort, they spruced up five homes.
This year, after hundreds of individuals, businesses and community groups volunteered to donate materials and take on homes, the group plans to tackle 25 houses. Volunteering to help have been churches, synagogues, Navy ship crews, the Master Gardeners, civic leagues, bank employees and other groups.
``We've just had an overwhelming response,'' Baldwin said.
At times, organizers wondered if they would find enough homeowners who qualified. To be eligible for help, Norfolk homeowners must be at least 62 years old, reside in their homes and have a combined household income of $12,000 or less. After a public plea, organizers eventually found enough houses.
Smith's home was nominated to the Rotarians by City Councilman Paul Riddick. The coordinator of repairs, Jean Owens, said the residence is in dire need of repairs.
``This is probably the worst one I've seen,'' said Owens, a Norfolk insurance agent. ``Everything needs to be done.''
The Navy crews plan on replacing the shingle siding with vinyl, repairing the roof, plugging up holes around the foundation, installing a new storm door, and removing debris and weeds that have accumulated in a side yard. A front porch also will be repaired, so Smith again can sit outside and watch the life of her neighborhood.
``It's a lot of work,'' Owens said. ``But she's so grateful. I was really touched by her situation. She is not one of those people who has her hand out. She's worked hard to buy this house ... and she's been very involved in outreach programs for the needy at her church.
``It's very gratifying to see that you can make a difference in making someone live more comfortably who really deserves it. And the neat thing is the cooperation you get from all the people in the community who want to reach out and help others.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CANDICE C. CUSIC
Ethelene Smith stands in her living room while a crew from the
submarine tender L.Y. Spear works on the exterior of her
Huntersville home.
by CNB