Helping Families with Operation Home Repair

The Schoharie Mosaic, a cooperative ministry of ten United Methodist Churches in and around Schoharie County, recently completed its second annual Operation: Home Repair.  This project took place over two weeks in July, however planning and preparation for the mission projects began back in January.  Operation: Home Repair provides no-cost critical home repairs to homeowners in and around Schoharie County.

Cobeskill United Methodist Church’s pastor, coordinator of the project lead team,  Rev. Anna Binn Cole reports that 28 applications were submitted by local homeowners requesting help with various home improvements and repairs.  This included decking, construction of accessibility ramps, painting, carpentry, repairing walkways (masonry work), minor roof repairs, etc.  After reviewing each application thoroughly, the planning team narrowed the list to 12 doable projects based upon factors such as critical safety issues, disabilities of homeowners, health needs, volunteer and financial resources available, and other quality of life issues.

According to Rev. Blinn Cole, the projects included homes in Cobleskill, Delanson, Middleburgh, Gallupville, Warnerville, Schoharie and Sharon Springs. This year more than 50 volunteers donated their time and skills in order to complete these projects.  The volunteers ranged from senior citizens to teenagers, and included both skilled craftspeople and those with no prior home repair experience.  Several United Methodist church members and clergy from outside the Schoharie region also volunteered their time and energy. 

Operation: Home Repair received financial and in-kind donations from community members, local businesses, several United Methodist grant funds, the Joshua Project, and other churches in the neighborhood. Other funds were raised throughout the year with drive-thru dinners, proceeds from the Road to Jubilee Thrift Store at Cobleskill UMC, and other fundraisers.

Rev. Blinn Cole reports that the need for safe housing is critical in this area.  She is encouraged by the way neighbors stepped up to help neighbors in this community-wide project.  Many homeowners reported that these projects helped improve their living conditions.  She added that the volunteers’ willingness to give their time to Mosaic projects helps demonstrate cooperation among our region’s churches and how “giving back” impacts people’s lives in our community.  Based on the success of Operation: Home Repair over the past two summers, the program is expected to happen again in 2025.  Applications for home repair and volunteer help will be out in January.