Steve Steiner
Managing Editor
editor@elkintriibune.com

All that's needed are a few good men -- and women -- who are interested in donating several hours Saturday swinging a hammer and other tools in a project that is a first for the Upper Yadkin Valley Habitat for Humanity.

"This year, in celebration of our 20th year, we are doing something different, a little extra," said Claire Sellars, who heads up the local affiliate. "Instead of building a new home, we are going to be repairing 20 homes, one for each year of our existence."

Assisting on Saturday's project will be the Baptist Mens club of First Baptist Church in Elkin.

"This is the first time we are taking on the mission of home repair," said Pastor Bill Johnson. "The Mens Club meets once a month for breakfast and fellowship. Afterwards, we do work on a project."

A different project is chosen each month, Johnson said, who added Saturday's project is not the first time the church has partnered with Habitat for Humanity.

"Our church has a long, long history with Habitat," he said. "It goes back to when Habitat in Elkin was formed."

Johnson said that on average, anywhere from six to 12 men will show up, and that eight to 15 men is typical.

Both he and Sellars hope more will come Saturday and ask the public at large to please join.

The house being worked on Saturday is a Habitat for Humanity house at 132 Lon Avenue, Boonville. It was built approximately 10 years ago and belongs to Levi and April Gregg.

"One of the volunteers, Ernie Slocum, visited the home and put together a list of items that needed work," said Sellars. "He's with one of the two companies that are donating supplies -- Smith Phillips Lumber in Winston-Salem, and W.E. Sale and Sons in Elkin."

The Greggs are looking forward to Saturday.

"The floor is sagging and we have some electrical problems," said Levi Gregg. "Some of the vinyl flooring is also coming up and they're putting in a doorbell."

In addition to the Gregg home, work is either completed or slated to be done on a house in Elkin and two in Yadkinville.

Sellars was quick to point out that Habitat is not limiting itself only to Habitat houses.

"If anyone is interested, they have to own their own home, we don't do work for renters," she said. "They also have to be someone who is considered a low-income wage earner and the repairs have to be safety improvements, such as a grab rail for climbing out of the tub, for example."

If anyone is interested, either to volunteer or to have his or her home worked on, please contact Claire Sellars at 526-2277.