WE WANT YOU!  Yes, everyone is NEEDED!

It takes a community to support the community!

FL Cares, Inc.
Submitted

Saturday, May 8, 2021. Lamont, Fla. Though it was not the dawn's early light, rather the comfortable hour of 9 a.m., the weather was the perfect sunny Florida blue skies with an unseasonable low humidity crispness in the air. The peaceful serenity was soon interrupted by the cacophonous screeching of saws, the echoing of the rapid pop, pop, pop of the nail gun and the precision (or near as much) pounding of multiple hammers sounding distinctly like a woodpecker convention - all this crescendoed into a symphony of activity that reverberated throughout the area. FL Cares, Inc. (FLCA), a charitable non-profit serving Jefferson, Wakulla, Gadsden and Leon counties, teamed up with the Jefferson County Adult and Teen CERT Volunteers (Community Emergency Response Team) to build a new accessibility project for an area family in need.
The FLCA Program seeks community-minded groups, organizations, civic clubs, churches, businesses and school volunteers to help members of the community have better accessibility to their homes, building either accessible half-steps (having a riser height of 4-5 inches) or ramps for those using a wheelchair. The Access Program does repair work as well as installing handrails and grab bars when needed. The non-profit is seeking new projects but also has a list of projects in each county served - so new groups are needed to handle the demand. If you can hold a soda can, you can swing a hammer, and FL Cares NEEDS YOU!
The CERT volunteers are part of the Citizen's Corp, an implementation of FEMA's National CERT Program. This local team is managed by Bob Jones, and the build group included Team Members Mike Blodgett, Marie Saylor, Denise Tosado and Kevin Carroll.
Mr. Carroll's commander in chief (aka wife) Paula Carroll is the Director of Emergency Management, and co-founder of the CERT Program, was instrumental in getting the CERT's rallied and prepared for the day's activities. "Each one of us can make a difference. Together we can make a change." Mrs. Carroll stated, emphasizing the CERT's mantra. The best part of this collaboration was that it started on a health and welfare check by a Jefferson County deputy doing a part of their daily responsibilities.
Deputy Alex Camper was sent to check on a reported community member having difficulty gaining access to their home. Upon arrival, the front steps were broken, and the family was stressed over their home's entry hazards. Mrs. LaRhonda Henry asked if there was anything that could be done. The entrepreneurial deputy followed training and called it in. The county moved the request up the line, and in comes the "angelic" Mrs. Paula Carroll, who apparently has "the" black book of everyone who can or will do anything. Calling local Monticello Rotary Club Member William Douglas, the buzz over the airwaves created a ripple that extended over county lines, whereupon the non-profit FL Cares was alerted of the need. (Hint: the Rotary Club partners with FL Cares on accessibility builds and they also know who to call!)
During the site visit by FL Cares Project Leader Eric Evans, the steps were shored up into a temporary but sturdy enough fashion to provide the modicum requirements of what was originally used for ingress. A promise was made that a new set of steps would be built and all haste would be made in that effort.
Fast forward to Saturday, and now the residents of the area have an explanation of all the commotion. The half-steps and door landing will assist Mrs. Henry and the family, who have some medical difficulties when ambulating. Mrs. Henry was so elated, and actually may have shed a few tears of joy, as she came out upon the finished project. "It's so BEAUTIFUL!" she exclaimed. "I'm so grateful to everyone who made this possible."
"I had so much fun working...on the half step[s]. I learned an incredible amount of practical building skills...[and] am looking forward to helping with more projects, " said CERT Volunteer Marie Saylor.
From the initial call; to the deputy's response; to the EMS dispatchers and management team; to the rotary club members; to a non-profit that "Seeks to Find Brighter Futures for Everyone;" to the CERT volunteers; to the family in need, it definitely takes a community of effort. There is also one group that deserves a HUGE KUDOS for their support, that is the Men's Group of the First United Methodist Church of Monticello (MG). They provided the financial assistance to help with this project. Last year alone the MG worked with FL Cares to help build 14 projects in Jefferson County. Each project helped an individual in need and their family's have better accessibility and provides a safer, stronger, easier way of access thus creating a means to confidently egress their home - a cornerstone for continuing to live independently.
FL Cares has completed 41 projects so far this year, after building 180 projects over the last two years (2019 & 2020). With more than 10 1/2 years of building over 1000 accessibility projects, there obviously is no end to the community's need for better home access. What is needed are boots on the ground and a willingness to serve! For more information, please call (850) 347-1445 or email FL.Cares.Info@gmail.com