The caring does. Since 1992, local Rotary Clubs have been prepping, priming and painting the homes of the elderly and disabled throughout South Hampton Roads. The effort began in Chesapeake, where Rotarian Bob Ripley brought the idea after seeing a similar project in Florida. On April 28, teams of volunteers will fan out to brighten about 70 homes in Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Norfolk and Virginia Beach. The volunteers, from civic groups, churches, businesses and the military, paint the exterior of the owner-occupied houses and help with landscaping.
Sponsors provide paint, materials and other goods.
The homeowners pay nothing. With this year's effort, PYHO will have painted as many as 700 houses in South Hampton Roads. Skilled laborers and helpers will raise roofs, install floors and complete other repairs. The feeling of gratitude is not lost on the recipients of the volunteers' work. I visited Lucille H. White this week.