TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — If you’re looking for an opportunity to give back you don’t have to travel far as United Way is making it easy to help someone in need through their ‘Wabash Valley Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ (WVNHN) program.
Leaders said at one point or another, everyone needs a helping hand. What if that hand came from a caring community member? That’s possible thanks to a grant from CenterPoint Energy Foundation for the WVNHN initiative. The program is about connecting homeowners who have minor repair needs with volunteers who have the time and skills to fix them.
Schelia Romanelly is the program coordinator and she said those receiving the services are truly thankful. “It just really touches you to see the expression on their face. The smile,” she said.
Romanelly said the initiative makes helping a neighbor in need easier than ever.
She went on to say that it’s all about, “Bringing people together. To love one another, to care for each other.”
The program started in 2022 and in just four months about 80 projects have been completed. Those projects are submitted by homeowners in need of a helping hand.
“Don’t feel shame to submit that project. There are no income guidelines, no age restriction,” Romanelly said. “So, if you need a little help, just reach out,” she added.
For those interested in volunteering, Romanelly said they’ve set up an easy-to-use website. Projects are listed making it easy for volunteers to log on and find a project of interest to them.
Jess Berryhill is the Youth Pastor at Mount Pleasant Church. She said they are always looking for volunteer opportunities for their students.
“We always love to provide opportunities for our students to serve, you know, beyond the community, to get that experience. But we also feel that there is such a need to be a neighbor and to show up in your own town,” Berryhill said.
Bev Merritt Hicks lives in Terre Haute. She said her gutters were in need of attention, “We were having some health problems and were not able to do it ourselves.”
That’s when about 20 students from Mount Pleasant Church stepped up to serve their neighbors.
“We tackled two houses, and cleared some gutters,” Berry hill said as she described the work the students performed.
Hicks was grateful, “They took care of everything. And it was a big load off of our shoulders to have them come in and do that,” she said. “We’re very thankful” she added.
Romanelly said the homeowners are always so thankful but the volunteers also get something out of it.
“It gives you a good feeling about yourself. You’ve done something for them,” she said. “As well as they feel good, that someone came to help them,” she added.
The Wabash Valley Neighbors Helping Neighbors program is currently limited to residents of Vigo County. United Way said once the program is established, they plan to expand to their six-county service area. In addition to Vigo County the service area includes Clay, Sullivan, Parke and Vermillion Counties in Indiana and Clark County in Illinois.
To submit a project, become a volunteer, or learn more about WVNHN click here. Romanelly said you can also reach out to her directly at United Way.
