Anthony Cloud
Staff Writer
Each year Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency helps bring in volunteers for Repair Affair. The event typically lasts at least one day. The event focuses on helping elderly people improve their homes.
Saturday, there was work done on several homes. One of the homes that was repaired is located on Browning Loop, which is on Laurel Hill. The group who volunteered to work on the home was St. Mary’s Episcopal Church of Middlesboro.
“The whole idea of this project is to make the house look nice for the home owners,” said Jim Fradege, team captain for the St. Mary’s team. “They are going to feel a lot better about themselves and it will make them happier.”
The team removed old brush from the yard, did some painting on the house, sawed down trees and removed and inserted a new door. The group also built a ramp.
Fradege said they wanted to make the house handicap accessible because one of the homeowners is wheelchair bound. He said they wanted the homeowner to be able to go out and enjoy the garden.
Another group that assisted during Repair Affair was First State Financial. They worked on a home located on South 20th Street. At that home, the group did some painting and gardening work.
Other teams who performed work on Saturday included Vaughn and Melton, Home Federal Bank, First Baptist Church, Mission of Hope and a few more individuals.
In the past, an applicant must be at least 60 years of age or disabled and have income meets U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HOME program income limits. Repairs must be within the skill level of volunteers and dollars available for materials.
No repeat applicants will be approved unless a medical or major safety issue is involved. This will be at the discretion of Repair Affair committee members.
Reach Anthony Cloud at 606-248-1010, ext. 208, acloud@civitasmedia.com





















