The members of the Portage Exchange Club welcomed Tom Crnarich, president of Rebuilding Together Portage, to their November 2 breakfast meeting. Rebuilding Together, formerly known as Christmas in April, provides assistance to homeowners who cannot handle their own needed home repairs because of financial or physical limitations.
Crnarich said the organization rebuilds 8 to 10 houses each year, using 250 skilled and unskilled volunteers. The rebuilding takes place on the last Saturday in April, but the process begins much earlier with applications for assistance submitted for consideration. Applications may be obtained at City Hall, the Portage Trustee's office, the Bonner Center, the American Legion and VFW. The deadline for this year's applications is December 1.
The organization has a budget of about $23,000 a year.
"We have a lot of businesses and individuals who make donations, and we get a lot of our materials at a discount," Crnarich said. "Menards has been our biggest benefactor. They give us a discount on materials and also provide a skilled individual to help with the project. For a $500 donation, you get your name on our T-shirts. For $1000, you get a banner on Willowcreek."
"We need help with financial contributions, goods and services but mainly volunteers. We are always looking for skilled workers. The Portage ROTC has been wonderful. I can't say enough good things about them. They just come in, work hard and take care of business."
Among the projects Rebuilding Together has undertaken are ramps for disabled people, a fence for Gabriel's Horn homeless shelter, numerous roofs and windows.
"We put in a whole new kitchen for one home owner, cabinets and all," Crnarich said.
"At the end of the day, I don't know who gets the biggest reward: the people who are helped or those of us who do the helping. It's so rewarding to see their faces when the work is done. The people are so appreciative of whatever we do."
For further information, an application for assistance or to volunteer your services, visit the website at www.rtportage.org.
Photo: Tom Crnarich, president of Rebuilding Together Portage, spoke at the November 2 breakfast meeting of the Portage Exchange Club. Pictured: Crnarich, Portage Exchange Club president Joan Hasse-Rodriguez and Chuck Coppess, member of both organizations.