LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Rose Duncan is disabled and needed a ramp connected to her deck that would give her access to both the front and backyard. Habitat for Humanity Lake County made her dream come true.

The ramp is eight months old now and affords Duncan a new freedom and opportunity that she hadn’t had before. She can visit her neighbors and tend to her garden. Being outside gives her a “whole new purpose in life.”

Habitat for Humanity Lake County established the “A Brush of Kindness” home repair program two years ago.

It was created to reach out to low income homeowners that are in need of home repairs but have no financial means of paying for such work.

The goal is to repair the dwellings so that they are safe and healthy to live in.

The project combines contractors, volunteers, friends and family all working together to meet a common goal.

Virginia applied in 2010. She heard about Habitat for Humanity through a friend. She filled out an application in the office and construction started shortly thereafter.   

Virginia’s home had a severe plumbing problem. The drain system in her home needed to be redone. She was so impressed with “the quality of work” that she came in person to the Habitat for Humanity office in Lower Lake to give her thanks.

“The contractor and volunteers conducted themselves in a professional manner and had such pleasant attitudes” on the job, she said.

Habitat for Humanity President Richard Birk said the organization was pleased to announce that the “A Brush of Kindness” program will be available once again in 2012 in Lake County.

Since its beginning two years ago the “A Brush of Kindness” repair program has serviced 25 homes in Lake County. The program will only continue to do so with the co-operation of volunteers and community support.

Funding is a vital part of the program. Many local merchants and many businesses of Lake County have given their support to keep this much needed program alive, Birk said.

Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to providing low income homeowners with safe and healthy homes. The Habitat for Humanity motto is “a hand up, not a hand out.”

Please submit donations to Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 1830, Lower Lake, CA 95457 or at their office at 16285 Main Street, Lower Lake, CA.

To apply for the Habitat for Humanity’s home repair program or to volunteer some hours to help with this program, please drop by their office, 16285A Main St., Lower Lake, call them at 707-994-1100 or visit them on the Web at http://www.lakehabitat.org .