NORWICH – The Impact Project built a new roof and a handicap accessible ramp for a homeowner in the Town of Norwich with the help of numerous volunteers and assistance from local businesses.

According to The Impact Project Executive Director Jim Willard III, the ramp portion of the project was completed on August 17, and the roof was finished the following weekend on August 21. Willard said more than 50 volunteers came together to complete what would have been a more than $30,000 project for Norwich Homeowner Patricia Ryan.

“This was our 127th and 128th project, and we pulled all the strings we could to get here in two weeks,” he said. “The situation here on many levels was not sustainable.”

“Pat needed handicap accessibility because she’s in and out of a wheelchair, and she had eight holes in her roof; I don’t enjoy saying this, but I don’t think that roof would have made it through the winter without some type of substantial damage throughout the inside of her home.”

Willard said the project was made possible thanks to combined efforts of volunteers from cvfree Church and Point Bible Church in Whitney Point, along with generous business partners including Curtis Lumber, Trojan Deli and catering, and Rentals to Go.

“Hats off to all of them - we couldn’t be who we are today without all of our partnering churches, agencies, and businesses,” said Willard. “We can’t thank Curtis Lumber enough, they’ve been here all day with the boom truck, and that in itself is priceless because it maximes time efficiency and reduces risk to the volunteers.”

When asked about the project, Norwich Homeowner Patricia Ryan said she had lived in what was her parents home since 1988, and she had no idea that her house could have been threatened as early as this winter.

“The house used to be my parents, but after my mother died she left it to me,” said Ryan. “I knew it was bad, but I didn’t know it was that bad.”

“I can’t thank The Impact Project enough for what they’ve done for me, it’s wonderful that they do these projects because there are a lot of people, especially around here, that need the help.”

Ryan said she read about The Impact Project in The Evening Sun and was surprised by how simple the application process was.

“If you have a problem, don’t hesitate to send in an application because there's a good chance they could help you or guide you to someone who can,” she said. “There are so many people who need help but don’t realize that the clock is ticking,”

Willard said it was an honor to help Ryan, and that the organization looks forward to helping even more families in Chenango County.

“She won’t have to worry for the rest of her life about a roof over her head or handicap accessibility,” he said. “That's what it's about, it's about giving people back their home, sustainability, and if there is such a thing returning people to a sense of normality.”