St. Johns Housing Partnership, Volunteers ‘Make a Difference’ for the Elderly, Disabled and Veterans
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (October 25, 2022) – – The St. Johns Housing Partnership (SJHP), creating safe, clean, affordable housing in North Florida since 1996, held “Make a Difference Day,” Saturday, Oct. 22, in St. Johns County.
SJHP mobilized volunteers who spread out over the county to help paint, clean and repair homes for veterans, the elderly or disabled. Volunteers did exterior house painting, repairs, landscaping, yard clean up and helped build wheelchair ramps.
“Community is at the core of everything we. Make a Difference Day underscored that mission. We understand that bringing real impact to people in need means more than just giving financially,” said St. Johns Housing Partnership Executive Director Bill Lazar. “I am proud of our volunteers, donors, and staff for their commitment. It is nice to get everybody together to do something good for the community.”
Thomas Stauffacher, Creative Contracting and Consultation, worked on a wheelchair ramp for a couple in Flagler Estates. Occupational therapy students from the University of St. Augustine accomplished much needed painting.
Kevin Davenport, who helped SJHP build one of their first ramps, 25 years ago, brought students from Creekside High Engineering Club. For past last 13 years Davenport has been recruiting Creekside High students work on volunteer projects.
Girl Scout Troop #2432 from Ponte Vedra Beach worked on a major cleanup project. Then helped an elderly resident who had a big tree come down after Ian.
Cleanup as a major chore in St. Johns County. Lazar met with some local FEMA folks who said to date, there have been 3,500 damage claims in the county.
Other volunteers included Rottman Tech Services, City Gate Spirits and Keller Williams Realty.
Donors included Silverfield Development Company, All American Air Charitable Foundation, City Gate Spirits, Gibson Heating & Air, Master Craft Window & Door Inc, Rottman Tech Services, Burney’s Septic, Jack Wright’s Tree Service, Stuart’s Pest Control
Vested Metals, East Coast Wells, St Augustine Elks Lodge 829, Dennis King, Michael Isam
Jeffrey Taylor, Sue Agresta, Tom Crawford, and Becky Stringer.
National Make a Difference Day was created by “USA Weekend” magazine in 1992 to offer community support and encourage volunteerism across the country.
For more information contact the St. Johns Housing Partnership at (904) 824-0902 or [email protected].
ABOUT THE ST. JOHNS HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
Founded in 1996 the St. Johns Housing Partnership (SJHP) is committed to providing safe, decent, and affordable housing in North Florida. SJHP creates partnerships between public and private sectors including investors on projects that create low- and moderate-income housing, rebuilds neglected homes and revitalizes neighborhoods in disadvantaged areas while supporting programs that enhance community economic and social development including counselling on homeownership and finances. For more information visit www.sjhp.org.
