On Saturday June 11, 2011, 70 volunteers came together at the First Christian Church to serve our community’s senior citizens by weatherizing their homes: installing weather-strip kits on doors, caulking exterior windows, spraying expandable foam filling basement cracks and leaks, and washing all exterior windows. This helps the homeowners save on heating and cooling costs, and feel more comfortable living in their homes.
The first phase of the project was locating 12 eligible homes where seniors (age 60+) that were living in homes they owned.
Months prior to the project, RSVP Director JoBeth Lewer began recruiting 10 senior volunteers (over 55) to each lead their own team consisting of 4-6 community volunteers. The team members will include local volunteers, MUM students from around the world, and Elders and Hermana’s from the Church of the Latter Day Saints participating from as far away as Alaska, currently serving in Iowa City and other neighboring cities.
Our RSVP Team Captains.
RSVP partnered with Scott Timm, Fairfield’s Sustainability Coordinator for the city’s Go Green Commission and ISU Extension Office, and Troy VanBeek of Ideal Energy.
Scott and Troy assisted the project offering their expertise during an afternoon training conference on home weatherization and basic skills on May 28 at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center.
RSVP Director JoBeth Lewer (left) at the the RSVP training conference on home weatherization and basic skills on May 28
Many thanks to area businesses who donated to make our first RSVP Weatherizaton Project a success! Thanks to First Christian Church and members, Pizza Hut, Everybody’s Whole Foods, My Lucky Day, Quality Quick Stop. Hy-Vee, Sherwin-Williams Co., Airgas, Area Agency on The Aging, SIEDA, The Closet and 1-Stop Rental!
September is “Energy Awareness Month” and RSVP will once again host another home weatherization project. If you are a Fairfield senior and would like to apply to have your home weatherized this fall or you wo
uld like to enroll as a senior RSVP volunteer (age 55+), please call 641-209-9045 or email JoBeth Lewer at director.rsvp@gmail.com.
Weatherization takes many hands and good leadership.
Local RSVP senior volunteers lead with their life experience teaching the next generation how the job is done!
Surrounding area members from the Church of the Latter Day Saints lending many helping hands.
Many local university students got involved and enjoyed this "in-service learning" community project.
Tags: 1106news, RSVP, seniors, volunteers
RSS