GNAT begins making plans for projects

The Good Neighbor Action Team recently began making plans for the Good Neighbor Blitz, a six-day home improvement initiative the group organizes each year to help eligible residents complete home repairs or improvements.

GNAT co-convenor Treva Williams said the fourth annual campaign is scheduled to take place June 9-14 and the group is beginning to recruit volunteers to help with the effort. The group's goal is to help eligible low-income, disabled and elderly residents make repairs or improvements to their homes that they would otherwise not be able to afford.

Last year, nearly 100 local volunteers completed projects on 21 homes in Fort Scott.

"The Good Neighbor Blitz would not be able to continue if we didn't have the wonderful support of this community," Williams said. "For the past three years, Fort Scott and surrounding communities have responded to the needs of their neighbors through financial support, in-kind donations and labor. We are hoping to see this concern for our struggling neighbors continue."

Last year, 12 teams of volunteers -- including several contractors who donated their time and talents to the project -- worked on exterior painting of homes, built handicapped-accessible ramps, fixed floors, replaced windows, rebuilt walls, and completed several other home improvement needs.

GNAT reduced the number of homes and projects last year from the previous year so volunteers and funding could be better utilized.

The group gets all funds needed for supplies and materials from community donations and fundraisers.

Many of the homeowners who received assistance last year helped with projects in various ways, despite not being able to pay for the needed repairs. Those who were not able to help physically made lunch or baked cookies for volunteers. GNAT raised $25,000 to fund the venture last year.

The Good Neighbor Blitz began as a small event four years ago organized by the First Presbyterian Church. The Fort Scott Community Visioning Committee took over the event with the creation of the GNAT. Williams is one of the members of GNAT who was involved in the first event.

One idea that has been discussed in the GNAT's recent meetings is the possibility of extending home improvement projects throughout the rest of the year, Williams said.

"The GNAT is excited about this summer's blitz and we're encouraged by new ideas surfacing in our meetings," she said. "One idea we are passionate about is seeing people's needs met throughout the year, not just during one week in the summer. In order for this to happen, we are in need of churches, civic organizations and neighborhoods who are committed to being a resource throughout the year. Once we get a church, civic organization or neighborhood committed, we can approach them with needs throughout the year and rely on them to meet those needs."

The GNAT will continue to receive applications, conduct screenings of applicants to determine eligibility, assess work, equipment and labor needs and raise funds for the projects. Churches, civic organizations and neighborhoods will provide labor, she added.

Applications are available for people to have work completed on their homes. Those applying must own their own homes.

To qualify for work, a person or family must fall below the following income guidelines:

*$16,335 annually for a one-person household.

*$22,065 a year for a family of two.

* $27,795 annually for a family of three.

*$33,525 a year for a family of four.

*And $39,255 annually for a family of five.

Applications can be mailed to Williams at First Presbyterian Church, 308 S. Crawford, Fort Scott, Kan., 66701. Volunteer registration forms are also available.

People who want to support the Blitz financially may send a check made out to the City of Fort Scott, with Good Neighbor Blitz noted in the memo line, to 617 Tiffany Lane, Fort Scott, Kan., 66701. Volunteer applications can be mailed to 913 216th Terrace, Fort Scott, Kan., 66701.

For more information, contact Williams at (620) 704-1062.