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Volunteers help with home improvement projects in Scranton

By Peter Cameron, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa. on

Published in Senior Living Features

Gene Passarella was just a teenage soldier serving in World War II Belgium when a bullet from a German sniper hit the man behind him, then went through his own leg.

Now on the cusp of turning 91, the Scranton native winces every time he must lift that bad limb in and out of the bathtub for showers in his West Scranton house.

"I have a heck of a time getting over it," he said, pointing to a dent in his shin where the bullet exited.

Soon, however, he will have a new walk-in shower to use, courtesy of NeighborWorks Northeast Pennsylvania.

The nonprofit's mission is to help families and individuals maintain homeownership and affordable housing. This week, the organization unleashed 140 volunteers on 23 home improvement projects for elderly, modest-income and disabled homeowners in the city.

The organization chose Mr. Passarella and his wife, Louise, for the free renovation because of his status as a disabled veteran and homeowner.

NeighborWorks was "looking for folks who made an investment in the neighborhood," said Jesse Ergott, the organization's president and CEO.

Mr. Passarella grew up in West Side and has lived in his current home for more than two decades.

Volunteers from Maryland and Virginia, through the faith-based charity Group Cares, worked this week to repair the Passarellas' back deck and paint part of their house. Contractors are scheduled to install the shower next week.

Karin Foster, the president of the West Scranton Hyde Park Neighborhood Watch, said the work on the Passarellas' house "keeps the continuity of a healthy neighborhood."

"He's an active senior, and he just can't do this any more," she said of the house's upkeep. The work from the charity "makes them more confident to stay in the homes."

 

Money for the home improvements came in part from the Over the Edge event in downtown Scranton last month. Fundraisers rappelled down the side of the tallest building in the city, the Bank Towers, in a high-profile event for the organization that raised nearly $67,000. Now, those who donated can see their money invested back into the community, Mr. Ergott said.

Mr. Passarella's freshly painted house is Exhibit A.

"It's the greatest, man," he said of the charities and volunteers.

Contact the writer:

pcameron@timesshamrock.com, @pcameronTT on Twitter

Finding help

People with homeowners insurance who are interested in receiving home renovations from NeighborWorks Northeast Pennsylvania can call 570-558-2490 or consult the organization's website at www.nwnepa.org. Preference is given to those with lower incomes, the elderly and families with small children. The organization also accepts donations on its website.

(c)2016 The Times-Tribune (Scranton, Pa.)

Visit The Times-Tribune (Scranton, Pa.) at thetimes-tribune.com

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(c) The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.

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