HomeFront Volunteers Helped Rebuild

More Than A Sandy Hook Home

Sometimes there are moments when the rug is pulled out from under someone with little or no warning, catching then completely unaware and not sure how to take their next step.

For Lori Liska, last year was one of those times. A few bad moments for the Sandy Hook resident and suddenly the single mother found herself overwhelmed with life. Her house was falling down around her, she was dealing with some serious health issues, and she was out of work.

Then in November, Ms Liska saw a press release in The Newtown Bee that invited residents to apply for this year’s AmeriCares HomeFront Day. Homeowners were invited to submit a proposal to the Stamford-based AmeriCares to be considered for the May 5 event, which offered volunteer help with faulty windows, doors, steps, railings, leaky roofs, paintings, plumbing, and electrical needs, all at no cost to qualifying homeowners.

Ms Liska qualified for the help and last weekend a crew made up of members of Newtown Lions Club, Newtown Congregational Church, Newtown United Methodist Church, and a member of St Rose all converged on Ms Liska’s home. That team of 36 people spent Saturday reroofing the entire house, doing interior repairs and painting, replaced the front steps, and even cleaned up the yard.

“I noticed that everyone worked so hard as a team and that although there were a few surprises here and there, the things that got accomplished in one day could not have been done without the efforts of everyone involved,” Ms Liska wrote in a note she sent to Bob Virgalla, this year’s house captain and a member of the Lions and NUMC. “There were people that donated their time that couldn’t be there but I felt their kindness because even behind the scenes the team effort was felt. There was a true heartfelt love that came from a group of people that saw a fellow person that just needed a help off the ground and they were there.

“There was a energy in the group that was contagious and I felt so much more than just the homeowner,” she continued. “They made me feel as part of the team. I still look around at my new yard and new roof and new steps and painted rooms and all the other little changes that were made and I’m amazed at what can be accomplished in one day.”

Ms Liska is also looking forward to the future. She told Mr Virgalla that she is already thinking about volunteering to help someone else next year when it’s time for AmeriCares HomeFront 2008.