Good Neighbor Blitz begins; Volunteers give of time, skills for home improvement projects throughout town

Local resident Dale Johnson holds boards for Jim Pitts as Pitts cuts wood down to the right size for installing new framework in a window of a Fort Scott residence during the Good Neighbor Blitz, a six-day home improvement initiative that began Thursday. (Jason E. Silvers/Tribune)

The Good Neighbor Action Team and about 75 local volunteers got to work Thursday on several projects involving repairs or improvements to the homes of several eligible local residents.

The fourth annual Good Neighbor Blitz, a six-day home improvement initiative organized each year by the GNAT, began with volunteers starting work on 10 homes throughout Fort Scott, with another few projects expected to be tackled within the next week, GNAT co-convenor Treva Williams said.

Williams said examples of projects include repairing floors that have failed, replacing siding and painting. 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.

Friends and classmates Krystal Wollenberg (foreground) and Miranda Stockstill, who will both be juniors at Fort Scott High School next year, scrape old paint off the side of a home Thursday. (Jason E. Silvers/Tribune)

Volunteers include community members of various ages, including some high school groups and other youth groups, representatives of local businesses, groups and other organizations.

"I feel we have some good representation from the community in these groups," Williams said.

People who wish to volunteer fill out forms and are assigned projects that match their skills. Williams said GNAT also has contractors helping out with more specialized projects because "we want to make sure we do these things correctly."

Williams said the GNAT is looking to take on more assistance and needs people of all skill levels.

A group of volunteers was working Thursday morning on the home of Marvin Bergemann, located at 1214 E. Elm. Projects at Bergemann's home included scraping paint off siding for re-painting, and measuring and cutting wood to install new framework for a window that had fallen into disrepair. Workers planned to make repairs to floors and install new carpet throughout the home on Friday.

Bergemann said he appreciated the assistance he has received in getting his home fixed up.

The GNAT is planning to go beyond just the Good Neighbor Blitz in the summer and extend home improvement projects throughout the rest of the year. Williams said she anticipates volunteer groups will work on a total of 25-30 homes by the end of the year.

The organization gets all its funds for supplies and materials from community donations and fundraisers so the group needs the support of churches, service organizations and neighborhoods.

Williams said the GNAT raised about $15,000 to fund this year's venture and has also received grants this year from such local organizations as the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation and PRIDE. The group found out Thursday that they had been awarded a grant from Home Depot to help fund the Good Neighbor Blitz.

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 the GNAT who was involved in the first event.