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Volunteers Mend Mobile Homes

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By DAVID SOMMER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 14, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - About 70 volunteers converged on the East Pasco YMCA early Saturday before fanning across town to take part in the latest "Day of Caring, Day of Sharing."

A joint effort between the Zephyrhills Ministerial Association and the East Pasco YMCA, the Day of Caring rounds up volunteers to tackle a variety of projects, organizer Shelly Newman said. Organizers hope to do it at least four times this year.

Newman, who coordinates the Active Adults and Volunteers program for the YMCA, said the main project this time around was to begin renovating three mobile homes donated to the ministerial association by the Church of the Nazarene in Wesley Chapel.

The ministerial association plans to turn the mobile homes, which had served as classrooms, into temporary housing for homeless families getting back on their feet, Newman said.

In addition to pressure-washing the mobile homes and stripping their interiors of classroom fixtures, volunteers painted a preschoolers' playground at West Zephyrhills Elementary and installed a new sink at the East Pasco Meals on Wheels kitchen.

Newman led a team that cleaned up a Meals on Wheels client's yard.

The next volunteer day is planned for April, Newman said. Anyone interested in helping can call her at (813) 780-9622.

Volunteers range from young children to older adults and often include college students performing community service, Newman said. Last time around, in September, two children, ages 5 and 10, washed an older man's car, she said.

"There are jobs for all ages, even if it is to just go in to talk to someone" who is shut in and alone, Newman said.

David Sommer can be reached at (727) 815-1087 or dsommer@tampatrib.com.

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