Good Works, Inc. is a Christian home repair ministry located in Coatesville, Pennsylvania formed to assist economically disadvantaged homeowners in Chester County. By helping to make their homes warmer, safer and drier, hopelessness is replaced with the hope found in Jesus Christ. Services are provided at no cost to the homeowner, with volunteers - including a growing number of St. Peter's parishioners - doing the on-site work.

A Good Works Report for April 9, 2005
by Mark Carkhuff

It's been awhile since I've had an opportunity to relay the good news of the effort put forth by the St. Peters volunteers who regularly join in on the Good Works "second Saturday" workdays.

At the April 9th workday, Roger Thorne and his merry band comprising Tom Brehm, Ken Fleisher and Art Wrenn spent a 'day of details' at Mrs. Esther Johnson's home as the year-long project to make her home "warmer, safer and drier" nears completion. All major projects are history, and this veteran team installed a new washer and dryer (with the attendant details of electrical connections and venting), replaced trim wood which always follow major wall projects, resized warped doors to allow for safe use once again, and generally saw to the dozens of details that return a 'torn-up house' into a livable home. The Johnson home will be "dedicated" in May, and the entire Good Works team from St. Peter's Church will join in for that important transition. Then on to yet another home to make a difference.

Across town (literally) it was also a "day of details" at Mrs. Catherine Robinson's home. Another veteran team including Jason Hacker, Hugh McLennan and Andy Fields installed a new drop ceiling in Mrs. Robinson's bedroom and finished repairing the walls in the bathroom. This home, like the Johnson residence, is fast approaching completion and should be ready for dedication in June.

And on this workday, at the request of the Good Works leadership, we also assembled a third group of volunteers who broke ranks from our normal projects and was sent off to lend its talents to yet another home in Coatesville. Susan Dickinson, Mark Dickinson, Carl Weir, and Mark Carkhuff joined participants from other churches and organizations to assist at the home of Mr. Leroy Friday. The tasks consisted of demolishing concrete steps, insulating the floor of an enclosed porch addition, and construction of a small deck off the back of the house. .

NEXT MONTH !!!
As stated above, the culmination of a year’s effort will take place at the next Good Works workday on Saturday, May 14th. We will be completing, and dedicating, the home of Mrs. Johnson. One of our teams has worked for almost a year making Mrs. Johnson’s home “warmer, safer and drier”, and dozens of St. Peter’s parishioners have helped in this effort. Many of you have had the privilege of become acquainted with Mrs. Johnson, who so looks forward to our visits every month.

This Dedication and lunch will take place at 12:00 noon at Mrs. Johnson’s home in west Coatesville. Even if you cannot spend the whole workday with us, if you have worked on Mrs. Johnson's home over the past year, you are invited to join us for this joyful celebration. Contact Mark Carkhuff or at 610-935-1623 for details and directions.
 

If you are interested in learning more about this ministry, click here. If you are willing to learn new skills and then immediately apply them, perhaps get a little dirty, and most importantly offer Christian love and compassion in this most tangible way, contact Good Works Coordinator Mark Carkhuff or at 610-935-1623  We hope to see you at the next workday. And don't forget the NEW location!