Builders Care, LGI, Hart Felt Ministries join forces

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The event partners with charities across the nation, and LGI in Jacksonville reached out to Builders Care for help in finding a project for a day of service for its two local offices.

“To ensure the best possible project for LGI, I decided to reach out to Hart Felt Ministries to see if they had any clients in need of a house painting,” Builders Care Executive Director Justin Brown said. “Kelly Moorman Coggins, executive director of Hart Felt, recommended Carrie Jenkins, and we are so grateful she did.”

Hart Felt Ministries uses a network of community volunteers to demonstrate love and provide, at no charge, non-medical services that build relationships, enhance environments and preserve the independence of local frail seniors.

Carrie Jenkins is 86 and battling cancer. She lives with her son, who is disabled and unable to live independently. Jenkins’ age and failing health made it difficult for her to perform needed maintenance on the home. She was elated at the prospect of having her home repainted.

A week before the painting project was scheduled to begin, Jenkins became ill. Thinking she was experiencing acid reflux, she did not want to bother anyone about taking her to the hospital. Fortunately, the Hart Felt representative who checks on Jenkins regularly did not ignore the symptoms and drove her to the hospital. Jenkins was indeed having a heart attack and, thanks to her caregiver’s decisive action, Jenkins received the medical attention she needed.

“LGI Homes brought out their entire office, and we were able to do much-needed landscaping as well as paint her entire home,” Brown said. “LGI’s crew included their heads of construction, so they were able to go above and beyond painting Ms. Jenkins’ home. “They installed a motion sensor light over her carport, built a railing to help her get out of her home, created a flower box in her front yard, and installed screens around the base of her home to keep unwanted critters out. They were also able to fulfill the only request made by Ms. Jenkins, which was to fix the screen in her security door to keep the bugs out.”

LGI Homes also brought out its professional painters to spray the soffits and underneath the carport. This ensured that the entire home was painted. Typically, Builders Care provides lunch for the volunteers and is grateful for Todd Knowles from Quick Tie Products, who has a reputation for his barbecued ribs that, according to Brown, “fall off the bone.”

“Ms. Jenkins couldn’t have been happier,” Brown said. “She was so grateful to all the volunteers for coming out, and she felt so incredibly blessed. It was heartwarming to be in her presence and feel her gratitude. The volunteers left feeling wonderful about the work they had performed for this wonderful woman.”

LGI Homes also presented Builders Care a check for $3,100, to help with future projects.

“Thank you so much, LGI Homes, for this incredible day of service and for giving back to the community we all share,” Brown said. “And, our ongoing thanks to Hart Felt Ministries for all they do for frail seniors in Jacksonville.”

To discover how Builders Care partners with agencies, businesses and individuals to help meet the housing needs of the elderly, disabled and other vulnerable residents of Jacksonville, visit online at www.builderscare.org or call 727-3443.