Volunteering with PWC: Simply a Way of Life
Posted on June 17, 2011 by
Looking for a little inspiration this summer? Look no further than PWC. In the last 36 years, PWC’s staff of licensed, trained employees and dedicated corps of 6,000-plus volunteers have assisted more than 200,000 individuals.
One such volunteer is Jere McIntyre, who has served as a volunteer with PWC since 1996 (and has been board member with PWC since 1998). He has volunteered his time each month to lead PWC home repair projects for our neighbors in need. 
When asked why volunteering for PWC is so important, he offered these answers:
Why do you give back the way you do?
I’m from a small town and we were raised to help one another out. If a family member or a neighbor isn’t available to help, then it falls to the community. My father exemplified this by always giving and taught me to do the same. Not only have my skills improved by giving back to PWC, but many of the projects have offered me a chance to work alongside my adult children, making it a particularly meaningful experience for me personally.
I understand you have a woodshop in your garage. How do you use this unique skill for PWC clients?
We mostly use my woodshop for prep work before we are on site doing repairs. For example, we will build customized cabinets for bathrooms or other customized pieces (such as custom steps) needed for mobility modifications beforehand so that on the day of the repair, we have everything pre-made and ready to be installed. Last year, we remodeled a bathroom to be functional for less than $500 in just 2 days.
What advice do you have for people considering whether or not to help out this year?
Our neighbors need us. A few years ago my son and I went down to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina hit. The homeowner had been living in a FEMA trailer and her home was in desperate need of repair. Many of our neighbors right here in the Tri-State are living like this and it shouldn’t take a hurricane to get us moving to help them.
Look for a special story featuring Jere in the “Good Things Happening” column of The Kentucky Enquirer next Sunday, June 26.
PWC is always looking for volunteers, particularly those in the community with skills in carpentry, plumbing or electrical work to help with complex home repair projects for our neighbors in need.
To learn more about how you can volunteer with PWC, contact Volunteer Manager Sara Bourgeois at (513) 351-7921 or click here.