A group of volunteers from Charter Communications Inc’s offices in the region joined forces with the HomeFront housing organization on Saturday, June 29, working throughout the day to make a range of needed improvements to a home on Ferris Road.

The physically improved residence will allow an elderly couple, Patricia and Erich Gertsch, to continue living in their home as they age. They own a raised ranch that was built in 1964.

HomeFront Inc is a Stamford-based private, nonprofit, community-based, volunteer-driven home repair program that provides free repairs to low-income homeowners, which improves their quality of life. The organization serves Fairfield, New Haven, and Hartford counties in Connecticut, and Westchester County in New York.

Charter has a national philanthropic initiative, known as Spectrum Housing Assist, which is designed to create safe and healthy homes for those in need. On June 29, Spectrum assembled about 30 employees who had volunteered to improve the Gertsch residence through tasks such as cleaning, washing, painting, siding replacement, window installation, gutter clearing, tree trimming, brush removal, and general yard work.

As Greg Heinzer of HomeFront made house repairs while standing high on a ladder, Tim Adam of Spectrum worked in the front yard, running evergreen branches through a woodchipper. The branches had been cut away by others to let more light reach the home and provide for better air circulation in the area.

Also, as Mike Hoschek and Cindy Capodagli, both of Spectrum, repainted some window shutters, two elected officials, First Selectman Dan Rosenthal and State Senator Tony Hwang, took rakes in hand to remove a large of amount of leaves from in front of the house. HomeFront and Spectrum asked the officials to attend the project and make comments at its opening ceremony.

Mr Rosenthal said, “There are people among us who need a helping hand.”

Mr Hwang thanked the volunteers at the project, saying their efforts to better the community are worthwhile. “Pick up a rake. Come out a make a difference,” he said.

Mr Gertsch watched with interest as the many volunteers hustled about his property, attending to their respective tasks during the day-long project that significantly improved his and his wife’s house and yard.