Volunteer Handyman Week

After realizing how many seniors in our community could benefit from handyman help, we decided to give back — a way to thank our neighbors for their incredible support over the years. Today marked the first day of our Volunteer Handyman Week, and it was a huge success!

Today marked the beginning of our volunteer handyman week, and it turned out to be one of those days that quietly restores your faith in people—and in life itself. We visited two families. The first needed help repairing a dining table and bench. Sean reinforced the bench with screws the family provided, and while we worked we listened to their stories, their struggles, and the small hopes they’re holding onto. Simple conversations like these remind me why we do this. The second home belonged to a woman who, in two weeks, will turn 95. I was stunned—she easily looks fifteen years younger, moves with purpose, and speaks with a clarity and wit that would put most people half her age to shame. Her house is immaculate, inside and out; the floors gleam, the garden is perfectly tended. She proudly told me she still does it all herself. I couldn’t help but wonder how some much younger families struggle to keep up their homes when this remarkable woman, at nearly a century old, manages everything on her own. While Sean built a new soap shelf for her bathroom, she and I sat together and talked. I asked her secret—how she stays so sharp, so vibrant. I’m more than forty years younger and already feel the years catching up with me. She smiled and said it’s simple: she eats real, home-cooked food (never eats out), stays active, and keeps her mind engaged. She lives on a fixed Social Security income of $2,000 a month—“tight,” she called it with a shrug, as if money were the least interesting part of her life. The walls of her living room are covered with photographs from a lifetime of travel: Egypt, England, Wales, Iceland, Ireland, Germany, China, Japan, Italy, Cambodia, Greece… places most people only dream of seeing. She went there when she was young, bold, and curious, long before age was supposed to slow anyone down. She told me her parents didn’t live especially long—her mother passed at 68, her father just past 70. “No longevity gene,” she laughed. Whatever she has, it isn’t inherited. It’s chosen, day after day, meal after meal, step after step.I left her home quieter than I arrived. I took a few photos of her beautiful backyard—not because the garden itself is extraordinary, but because it belongs to a 94-year-old woman who refuses to let the world decide what she can still do. Driving away, I asked myself an honest question: Will I make it to 80 with even half her grace, strength, and curiosity? If I do, I’ll consider it a life very well lived. Today she reminded me that age is not the enemy—giving up is. -Joan

Day 2

On the second day of our free Volunteer Handyman Week in Northwood, Sean and I set out to help neighbors with those small-but-annoying repairs that can really brighten someone’s day.

Our first stop was a home where the kitchen faucet had been loose for weeks. While I visited with the homeowners and listened to how much it had been driving them nuts, Sean borrowed their tools, took the faucet apart, and had it working perfectly in about fifteen minutes. The instant relief on their faces was priceless.

Next, we stopped at a lovely couple’s house where the screen door refused to close. Sean glanced at it, saw it had simply jumped the top track, lifted it, and slid it back into place—literally three seconds flat. The wife burst out laughing and said, “That’s it? After months of wrestling with that thing?” I’ve rarely seen anyone look so happily stunned.

While I kept them company, they asked if we could paint their kitchen countertop. I gently explained that’s a job best left to professional painters and we didn’t want to risk making it worse. They then showed us some broken wooden shutters (another project we’d have to save for another day) and mentioned a second faucet in the bathroom that was dripping steadily. The husband actually knew exactly what was wrong but didn’t own a metric Allen wrench. Sean fixed it in minutes and gifted them his whole metric Allen wrench set so they’ll be prepared if it ever happens again.

Before we left, they pointed out a kitchen drawer that wouldn’t close properly. Sean discovered that one of the spring mechanisms was completely broken. He searched online for a replacement, but the drawer turned out to be so old that the original part is no longer made, and any workaround would be a much bigger job. I let them know we’d have to pass on that one for now, though we promised to keep it in mind for a possible future visit. We couldn’t fix everything on their wish lists, but we knocked out several problems that had been frustrating these families for months. Sean quietly worked his magic with the tools while I listened to their stories, answered questions, and made sure everyone felt heard and cared for. The hugs, heartfelt thank-yous, and huge smiles at the end of each stop made the entire day one of the most rewarding we’ve ever had. Little acts of service, done side by side—that’s what true community feels like.

Day 3

Today was Day 3 of Volunteer Week, and we pulled up to a rental house where the family’s dogs had apparently declared war on screen doors. Three victims in total: two regular doors sliders and one fancy side-rolling retractable screen that looked like it had been through a blender. We took a quick look and broke the news: “We can fix the two normal ones today, but that roll-up style is a beast. We’ve wrestled with those before—without the factory jig and the right epoxy, it’s a lost cause. We’ll get a pro out to handle that third one properly.” The family was just happy something was getting fixed. First up was the smaller door. Sean lugged the roll of mesh to the backyard, we spread out the tools, and twenty minutes later it looked brand-new. Turns out this door used the rare metal retainers instead of the usual rubber spline. No problem—the homeowner happily handed over his rubber mallet when we asked. One of the best parts of volunteering: people let you borrow anything. Try walking onto a paid job site and asking to use the customer’s personal tools… good luck with that.

The second door was big. The only flat spot in the yard was a narrow strip wedged between a trampoline, pool, a big bush and the back wall. Our “workbench” ended up being a patio table, two plastic chairs, and half of a very patient bush. While we rolled and tucked the new mesh, one of the main culprits—a very proud pup—kept doing victory laps around the trampoline, tail helicoptering like he was personally responsible for bringing the entertainment. Both doors were done in a little over an hour. Another morning of literally putting things back together—and leaving them a little better than we found them.

Volunteer Week – Day 4: A Full and Rewarding Day ❤️

Another busy but really nice day out helping neighbors.

Morning – Gated Community Fixed four small window screens. Joan was at an AI meeting until 12:30, so Sean started on his own and had the first one done by the time she got there. Once she arrived, we flew through the rest—pulled the old screens and splined the new ones. All four finished in exactly 30 minutes. Perfect teamwork!

Stop #2 – Sweet Widow’s House

• Tested and swapped out several burnt-out bulbs (no electrician required)
• Put in a new water filter for her fridge
• The patio light fixture was being stubborn; Joan asked AI, got the trick in seconds, and Sean got it open We didn’t have the right bulbs on hand, so we promised to pick them up and return later.

Stop #3 – Tustin Tightened a loose kitchen faucet, replaced a small screen, and Sean showed the homeowner how to do both things himself next time. She was excited to learn—great chat the whole time.

Quick Break Ran to Home Depot for the bulbs, then hit In-N-Out (basically lunch and dinner combined 😂).

Back to Stop #2 Installed the rest of the bulbs. When the patio lights finally came on, she lit up too. She mentioned her husband passed a few years ago, and the neighbor who used to help her has also passed. Seeing her so relieved and happy made the whole day worth it. Left there with full hearts.

Stop #4 – Quick Evening Call

• Running toilet: Sean adjusted the fill valve and it went quiet right away. Told her it’ll likely just need a new flapper soon.
• Outdoor lights stuck on: Bad photocell. We’ll order a new fixture for her online.

Final Stop – Back to the First House Replaced a broken cabinet hinge so the doors close properly again.

Four homes, lots of smiles, and one team powered by gratitude (and In-N-Out).

One more day left. Thanks for letting us serve—you’re the ones blessing us. 🙏

#VolunteerWeek #HelpingOurNeighbors #Day4