(FOX40.com) – More than 400 volunteers are coming together for Habitat for Humanity’s 4th annual ‘Rock the Block’ event. Over 36 hours on Friday and Saturday, volunteers will help with 11 home repair projects and three community projects throughout West Sacramento.
Habitat for Humanity said the work provided by volunteers is critical and might not otherwise be possible, physically or financially, for the homeowners it helps.
“Truly, it’s a year-over-year investment in ensuring families, seniors, veterans, hardworking families stay in their already affordable homes by helping them with critical home repairs. Things that just aren’t possible living on a fixed or low income,” Habitat for Humanity Chief Advancement and Marketing Officer Kimberly Coley said.
West Sacramento homeowners of over 30 years, Tony and Yolanda are just a couple of the people receiving help from volunteers. As the husband and wife have aged together, so have their home. Tony is a veteran, and Yolanda is recently disabled, which has made physical upkeep of the home more challenging. Today, about a dozen volunteers helped with tasks on their to-do list, including landscaping and painting.
“Quite a bit. Yes, it is. We wouldn’t be able to do this all ourselves,” Yolanda said.
The couple said landscaping will help them move around the property safely and a new paint job gives their home a fresher appearance they will get to admire daily.
“I can’t believe it. It’s wonderful. It’s beautiful. I just appreciate it,” Yolanda said.
While each project is powered by passion from volunteers, a $100,000 grant from the Wells Fargo foundation and $50,000 from the City of West Sacramento is also making the work possible.
“Many of them are just overwhelmed with emotion. They’re so cute. They’ll bring out coffee or cookies for the volunteers, but I think it just helps to instill in them that we’re here for them, and they’re not alone,” Coley said. “A lot of them are seniors, veterans. They may live alone, so it feels good to just have people come out and love on you.”
Through tears, Yolanda thanked the many volunteers for their help on Friday.
“Thank you to all the volunteers who came out here who don’t even know us and are putting their time in, who are putting their time in for us. We really appreciate it. You don’t know how much we appreciate it,” Yolanda said.
“Rock the Block” has received a warm welcome since it started in 2022 and is reflected in how the event has grown. The number of volunteers has grown, and Habitat for Humanity said it has more than 20 community sponsors this year.
Several hundred volunteers will return for a second day of work throughout West Sacramento on Saturday morning.
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