Greene’s Impact Project making a real difference

GREENE – Since its inception in 2004, The Impact Project - centralized in Greene but serving areas in both Chenango and Broome Counties - has helped to serve the community by completing home renovations for low-income families and the elderly. Last week, The Impact Project completed its 55th venture.

The Impact Project is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization, which uses funds and services donated by individuals and businesses within the community to complete its projects.

Irma McGowan, 70, submitted an application to The Impact Project initially for assistance with a new roof. Jim Willard, program director and coordinator, said her application for the roof was tabled for a while, as he knew a roof alone wouldn’t be of much help. McGowan is a widow and lost her husband approximately one year ago. She was living in a 50 year old trailer she and her husband had resided in for 40 years. According to Willard, the trailer was in rough shape and needed quite a bit of work, and her request for a new roof was declined.

“We couldn’t walk away from her situation,” said Willard. “The basic necessities in her home were just not sustainable or safe ... it was bad.”

Willard added the pipes were leaking throughout the structure, there was no insulation left, the floor was collapsing and there was no hot water.

It just so happened the owner of Hilltop Construction in Greene was getting rid of a used, although much newer trailer.

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Volunteers with the Impact Project knew it was time to help McGowan, and she turned her keys over to them and headed down to Nashville, Tenn., where she spent some of the winter months with her son and daughter-in-law. She didn’t have the slightest clue as to what she’d be returning home to.

According to Willard, this is the third time the organization has helped with a trailer, yet the first time they’ve demolished the existing trailer to bring in a new one. He went on to state more than 20 businesses stepped up during this most recent venture, donating money and services toward the cause. The Chenango United Way approved a small grant for The Impact Project, a first for this independent faith-based Christian nonprofit.

“The last hundred days have been quite a run for us,” Willard said. “We’re here to provide assistance to the homeowner - to try to create life sustaining change when they are unable to afford to, or unable to physically do so for themselves.”