Project Mend-A-House

Announcing the Kevin English Memorial Golf Tournament

On Saturday, April 28, 2012, Project Mend-A-House (PMAH) will host its third annual golf tournament fundraiser at Bristow Manor Golf Club. The event has been renamed “The Project Mend-A-House Kevin English Memorial Golf Tournament” in honor and memory of the recently departed board member who chaired the inaugural tournament.

Kevin English had been involved with Project Mend-A-House since 2000, and served on its board for seven years. Rich Beamer, who chaired the golf tournament last year and chairs it again this year, said, “Kevin was a PMAH supporter and volunteer for well over 10 years and it was his goal to see the golf tournament grow into a significant fundraising source".

Mr. Beamer is pleased to carry Kevin English’s work forward. “There’s no doubt that the big reason for the success [last year] was the groundwork and legwork that Kevin did.” The tournament chair expects this year’s event to be very well attended. “A lot of people have mentioned they appreciate the fact that we renamed the tournament in honor of Kevin,” Beamer said.

Project Mend-A-House director Andrea Saccoccia considered English a friend. Of his work in the community she said, “He was very supportive of Project Mend-A-House's causes and cared deeply about our vulnerable clients…he was an outstanding member of the community who unselfishly served others.”

Tournament sponsors and other contributions are being sought to further raise funds and help defray expenses for the event. Details of the tournament can be found here. If you are interested in being a tournament sponsor, please see further information here. Those interested in playing or helping may contact Rich Beamer at 703-261-5040, 540-295-0673 or at golftournament@pmahweb.org.

Woodbridge Rotary Shows Its Generosity

Woodbridge Rotary President Bill Gooding presents a $1,000 check to Project Mend-A-House Executive Director Andrea Saccoccia. Andrea was invited to speak at the the Rotary's weekly luncheon meeting and the Rotarians surprised her with a donation that will be used to fund home repair and home modifications projects for low-income senior and disabled clients. For more information about the Woodbridge Rotary, please contact Bill Gooding at 703-405-9918 or WGGooding@aol.com.

It's a Grand Donation from PNC Bank

PNC Potomac Town Center Branch Bank representatives (from left to right) Yvonne Siemers, assistant bank manager; Marc Engelking, branch manager; and Charlene Rosser, financial sales consultant III, present a $1,000 check to Project Mend-A-House executive director Andrea Saccoccia. The check represents the proceeds from each new personal checking account that was opened during the month of December.

Regency Women's Club's Gift to Project Mend-A-House

The Regency Women's Club at Dominion Valley presented Project Mend-A-House a check for $3,200, from the proceeds of their Candlelight Holiday Homes Tour and Holiday Party. The tour included six community members homes decorated for the Christmas holidays followed by a holiday cocktail party.

Bottom row seated are Regency members: Joyce St. Onge, Bonnie Siekman, Jennie Wente and Sandy Darne. Standing is Mary Postma, fundraising and events chair; Andrea Saccoccia, executive director of Project Mend-A-House; Kay Ferguson, community service chair and Renee Day.

When it Snows in Heritage Hunt Good Things Happen

Alan Givens, CEO of Parrish Services, has generously donated his snow plowing services to the Heritage Hunt Community. When it snows, Alan and his crew will supply the labor and equipment at Heritage Hunt on snow days and remove snow from driveways and walks way for any direct donation to one of seven organizations. Residents just make their check payable for any amount to any of the seven charities listed.

Those charities are: · Project Mend A House · Fauquier Family Shelter · SERVE · Lions Camp · St Judes · Susan G Komen · The House · and CASA

Please spread the word to all your friends that reside in the Heritage Hunt Community. Check out www.snow4charity.com and like the Facebook site as well if you would please. Now if we could only get some snow!

PNC Bank and Project Mend-A-House Partner for the Community

PNC Potomac Town Center Branch Bank and Project Mend-A-House are partnering to benefit the senior, low-income and disabled residents of Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park. Throughout the month of December, the PNC Bank Potomac Town Center Branch located in the Wegmans' Shopping Center, 14910 Diamond View Way, is spotlighting Project Mend-A-House. PNC bank will donate $25 to Project Mend-A-House for each new personal checking account that is opened and PNC employees will be provided an opportunity for a day of service to volunteer on a Project Mend-A-House project.

"PNC bank firmly believes in partnering with great local non-profit organizations like Project Mend-A-House," stated Charlene Rosser, Financial Sales Consultant of PNC Bank. "Our branch's partnership is our small way of giving back to the community which has always been so kind to us."

"PNC Bank is such a community oriented bank. This is the second year that the PNC Potomac Town Center Branch has designated Project Mend-A-House as its December charity," stated Andrea Saccoccia, Executive Director of Project Mend-A-House. "I am grateful that PNC selected us because every dollar that Project Mend-A-House realizes as a result of this partnership will be re-invested back into the local community to purchase building materials for home repairs and safety modifications for our vulnerable clients."

Project Mend-A-House Receives an Artful Quilt from Cabin Branch

On the evening of December 12th, during the monthly meeting of the Cabin Branch Quilters Guild of Woodbridge, a special quilt was presented to Project Mend-A-House. This beautiful handmade quilt was started by members of the guild several years ago and only recently completed. Each block of the quilt features a unique house. The quilt theme is wonderfully appropriate for the mission of Project Mend-A-House in the local community. Pictured above Marianne Gravely (right) presenting the quilt to PMAH Director Andrea Saccoccia.

Heritage Hunt Giving Circle Awards Eight Grants to Area Non-profits

The Giving Circle of Heritage Hunt held its fourth annual award ceremony on Wednesday, November 16 in the Marsh Mansion in Gainesville. Eight grants were given to local non profits to help continue their work in Western Prince William County. The recipients were: The Prince William Area Free Clinic represented by Scott Farrell; Project Mend-A-House, represented by Andrea Saccoccia; BEACON, represented by Deborah Abbott; Transitional Housing BARN, represented by Becky Goodman; Manassas Midwifery, represented by Kathleen McClelland; The Joe 15 Team, represented by Debbie Page-Maples; CASA ( Court Appointed Special Advocates), represented by Charlyn Hasson-Brown; and Rainbow Center Therapeutic Riding, represented by Debi Alexander.

Each representative gave an inspiring talk on their respective organization. A reception of coffee and homemade cookies followed.

Marie Louden, founding member of the Giving Circle of Heritage Hunt, said, “ We are so pleased to have nearly tripled our membership since we began four years ago and this year, thanks to our members, we were able to award two additional grants than in the past year and fund eight non-profit organizations.” Marie quoted text from Money Well Spent by Paul Brest and Hal Harvey of the Hewlett Foundation, “Giving Circles expand philanthropy from a family activity into a social, community one. Giving Circles can change donors’ giving and civic engagement in positive and significant ways.” She thanked all of the members for being a significant partner to these award winning non-profits and help them continue to support their missions and find life changing solutions for their clients.

To fund the Heritage Hunt Giving Circle grants, each member contributes one dollar a day. For more information or to start a giving circle in your community, please call Marie Louden at 703-743-5122.

Scott Sells Honored as Bank of America's 'Local Hero'

Donates $5,000 Grant to Project Mend-A-House

In a city known for honoring its heroes - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln - a new hero stood taller than the rest - Prince William County's own Scott Sells. Scott was recognized as one of five "Local Heroes" by the Bank of America during its eighth annual Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Awards ceremony held in the Bank of America Building in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, November 10. In addition to the honor, The Bank of America Charitable Foundation directed a $5,000 grant to Sells which he donated to Project Mend-A-House, a non-profit home-repair organization serving the senior, disabled, veterans and low-income residents of Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park.

The evening's opening remarks were delivered by William Couper, President of the Mid-Atlantic Bank of America and the event was hosted by Molette Green, anchor of WHUR News. "We are pleased to recognize these outstanding organizations and individuals who contribute significantly to the health and vitality of our Greater Washington community, " Mr. Couper said. "We share their commitment to strengthen the communities in which we live, work and play."

As a Local Hero, Sells was recognized for his willingness to do anything to make clients safe and independent. He has unselfishly donated thousands of hours, expertise and skills to lead volunteers to build accessibility ramps, modify bathrooms, restore clean drinking water, and prevent falls from occurring. Above all, Scott is always thinking about the well-being of his clients. Unfortunately Scott was not able to receive the award since he was sailing to his new home in Florida. Accepting the award on his behalf was executive director, Andrea Saccoccia. "I am so proud of the significant contributions that Scott has made to our clients and to our community. It is a great loss for our clients but his wife Kim told me it was my fault he was moving," Saccoccia stated. "She said that his parents who reside in Florida need his help and now is the time to utilize his skills to take care of his parents. I know Scott will not only provide a better quality of life for his parents, but also to the many senior residents of his new community. I am grateful for this wonderful gift that Scott has given to Project Mend-A-House. This grant will help the organization continue to accomplish critical home repairs and install safety modifications, such as grab bars and accessible ramps, for our neediest residents."

In addition to Local Heroes, the Bank of America also recognized five student leaders for their efforts to better their communities, an employee for his volunteer service and two organizations for their commitment and leadership in the Greater Washington community. But the ceremony belonged to Scott Sells where for one evening, as a "Local Hero," he stood in spirit shoulder-to-shoulder with the greatest heroes that this city of heroes, Washington DC, has honored and recognized.

Project Mend-A-House is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization founded in 1984 to assist the senior, disabled, veteran and low income residents of Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park remain safely and independently in their homes. Project Mend-A-House volunteers install safety aids, complete home repairs, build accessible ramps and provide emergency help for those individuals that need assistance, all at no cost to the homeowner.

Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington Selects Project Mend-A-House to Join Network of Worthy Non-Profits and Caring Individuals

Decision to Add Project Mend-A-House to 2011–12 Catalogue Based on In-Depth Review

Monday, November 7 marked the second time that Project Mend-A-House was included in the Catalogue for Philanthropy (CFP): Greater Washington (www.catalogueforphilanthropy-dc.org) . Project Mend-A-House, www.pmahweb.org, whose mission is to improve the living conditions of seniors, disabled, veterans, and low-income residents through its free volunteer-based home repair and home modification program, participated in the 2011-2012 Inspiration to Action program held at the Sidney Harman Center for the Arts in Washington, DC.

After a rigorous review process. CFP selected Project Mend-A-House to rejoin its network, which brings together donors, volunteers, employers, and worthy local non-profits to strengthen our communities. Since its inaugural edition nine years ago, the Catalogue has raised more than $15 million from caring individuals for featured non-profits with annual budgets of $3 million or less. Project Mend-A-House is one of 70 non-profits making an appearance in this year’s Catalogue. It was first recognized in 2007 and had to reapply for consideration this year.

“In these difficult and trying times, Project Mend-A-House is grateful to once again be included in the prestigious Catalogue for Philanthropy. When the organization was first recognized in 2007, we were impressed with the interest and donors that became supporters of our home repair program. We are looking forward to the many opportunities that this distinction brings our organization and we hope to increase our donor base and bring in more volunteers so that we can continue to help our neighbors maintain a good quality of life and continue to live in their own homes,” said Andrea Saccoccia , executive director of Project Mend-A-House.

“At the Catalogue, we like to say that each non-profit we include is ‘one of the best,’ and that applies to Project Mend-A-House. We make this statement based on a rigorous financial evaluation for effectiveness and transparency, at least one site visit, and input from more than 100 independent community reviewers. Donors know they can trust the Catalogue to help them make smart decisions about local non-profits where their contributions can really make a difference,” says Barbara Harman, CFP president and editor. The Catalogue’s web site at www.catalogueforphilanthropy-dc.org allows donors to search by field, view all nonprofits in a list, or search using key words. The How to Give section includes a Gift Registry, Gift Cards, a section Especially for Kids, and more.

Progress Report on a Gift for Kevin From the Community

Update! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Our partners are the best! Prince William Home Improvement put siding on the addition and it looks great. Parrish Services completed the duct work. Supervisor Mike May and his wonderful office staff helped coordinate the permit process. Woodbridge Plumbing has roughed in the plumbing work and we have almost finished the electrical work. Once this is done, Project Mend-A-House's volunteers and Prince William Home Improvement will complete Kevin's ADA compliant bathroom. Thank you to all who participated in this wonderful community effort to allow Kevin greater independence!

Thanks to some fantastic volunteers that came out this beautiful Columbus Day weekend- Kevin's accessible bathroom addition is coming along! We applaud everyone who worked so hard to make this dream a reality! Thanks to project coordinator Bill Okuly and some great volunteers, we are making great progress! 

Project Mend-A-House and its partners hope to make great strides as the project continues so Kevin can begin using his bathroom as soon as possible! The roof will be finished by the time your read this! Then it's on to the overhangs, fascia and soffits. The plywood on the siding is next!

Starting Monday, October 17, our three partners and trade contractors will be coming in-Hanneman Electric, Parrish Services and Woodbridge Plumbing! If you want to get involved in this fantastic project, please contact Bill Okuly, project coordinator, at 703-505-3848 or bokuly@msn.com.

A special thanks to all our partners in this effort including:

• Bond Enterprises
• Buchanan Partners
• 84 Lumber
• Ferguson
• Hanneman and Sons Electric
• Home Depot -Manassas
• Hubert Construction
• Independence Empowerment Center
• Ann Null of Loveless Porter Architects
• Mannington Floors
• NVBIA
• Parrish Services
• PWC Supervisor Mike May
• Prince William Home Improvement
• Sandia Ceramics
• VMAC, and
• Woodbridge Plumbing