SHEPHERD'S HELPERS

Imagine yourself living in a motorized wheelchair all day long, in a house 3 feet off the ground with no way to get out of your home.  If your home caught on fire, you would be unable to escape.  The Shepherd's Helpers of Jarvis, working with the Pitt County Council on Aging, the Chamber of Commerce, and the USDA, recently built handicap ramps for individuals such as this.

The Shepherd's Helpers at Jarvis Memorial United Methodist Church are church members and their invited guests who come together to help in minor household repairs or other household projects we feel our Lord calling us to do.  Currently, the Lord is primarily directing us to help seniors and physically challenged individuals needing our services.  We base our mission on the Parable of the Good Samaritan.  Since its inception in 2004, the Shepherd's Helpers have built seventeen handicap ramps, a porch, and provided numerous other services, from replacing light bulbs to replacing a ceiling fan.

The power of this ministry is evident in the responses we encounter from those to whom we extend a helping hand:  Recently, a few of us returned to a work site to check on a ramp we had installed.  The lady of the house came bounding out in her "hot wheels"  with the biggest and happiest smile on her face that you have ever seen.  For the first time in a number of years, she had, just that morning, driven her chair down the ramp,  'ran' the block to her son's house, and played with her grand children - all without assistance!  The transformation that had taken place in her and her husband was miraculous, and our hearts were warmed.

So what can you do?  There is something for everyone to do!  The Shepherd's Helpers need men and women power for these projects.  We do not necessarily need skilled craftsmen.  Can you dig a post hole, use a shovel, or can you be trained?  Yes, you can!  We will train you.  And ladies, you will be amazed at what you really can do.  You can run a mitre saw or a drill or carry lumber.  Food is another necessity.  Our people need an energy source.  Simple and quick lunches and snacks are the order of the day.

We are all called to be a witness for the Lord by sharing our gifts with others, whether it is local, national or worldwide - ministry and mission can be focused right here in our local community.  What a feeling it is when tears, hugs, and smiles are passed around at the end of a long day.  What a feeling to be told by one of our clients just how much it means to regain their independence.  Those experiences are priceless.  The Shepherd's Helpers really need your help.  Give us a call or email, and we'll put you to work!

Larry Hagler, coordinator of the Shepherd's Helpers, describes his involvement in the ministry this way: "At this time in my life I am semi-retired after 40 years in higher education, serving as chair of East Carolina Department of Accounting and as a professor.   For years a "handyman", my wife, Millie, and I saw a need to help seniors remain in their homes and started the Shepherd's Helpers." 

Want to know more about Shepherd's Helpers or sign up?  Click Here!

Another Great Year with Shepherd's Helper

by Larry Hagler

During 2008 The Shepherd's Helpers built 11 handicap ramps, expanded bathroom doors, installed handrails, built new steps and several other worthy projects. Most notable of our efforts in 2008 was the construction of the 72 foot ramp at Jarvis which makes the educational building more accessible.  Imagine being a parent with a healthy, active 11 year old boy suddenly struck down and immobilized by a stroke. Numerous surgeries did not correct the outcome of the stroke and now this large 12 year old is relegated to his wheelchair. His mom and younger sister struggle to get him in and out of the home.  And picture an 80 year old woman having dialysis 3 times a week. Her 80 plus year old husband runs her down two short boards to get her in and out of the house. Instead of the recommended 24 foot length of a ramp, this makeshift ramp is 6 feet long. Can you visualize the terror in the lady's eyes each time she goes up or down this makeshift ramp? Another lady after her surgery was brought home to a rotten deck and rickety steps. The Shepherd's Helpers were unsure of standing on the deck to dismantle it as it was so rotten. The nails were all rusted though.

All of the above and many others were aided by The Shepherd's Helpers during 2008. If you have an interest in being involved with a worthy mission which is accomplished on a short term basis each month, consider joining The Shepherd's Helpers.

The Shepherd’s Helpers were formed in 2003 to aid seniors and the physically challenged of Jarvis Memorial to maintain their independence and stay in their homes. We found that our efforts were needed throughout the community and expanded our outreach to non-church members where most of our efforts are now exerted. Since that time we have built 29 ramps and 5 easy access steps for our community. Of these 34 projects only 12 were funded by the individuals and 22 from various other sources throughout the community such as Pitt County Council on Aging, Burney & Burney Construction Co, Oakmont Baptist Church, Pitt Memorial Hospital Foundation, Arlington Boulevard Baptist Church to name a few.

We with Shepherd’s Helpers are committed to making life easier and safer for our aging population and others who are physically challenged. We have built and will continue to build high quality access assistance. Over and over we meet individuals who risk injury any time they attempt to leave their home or are forced to live with others away from their familiar surroundings while they recuperate. Secure access to their homes brings numerous health benefits to their lives and our community.  Our objective is to improve the quality of life for our seniors and physically challenged. The changes and benefits are multifaceted: it improves the mental attitude of the person; improves health and well being by allowing safe and stable movement; allows individuals to be out among society; improves the mental attitude of loved ones and caregivers. In

addition, it allows individuals to stay at home in the presence of loved ones longer.

The Shepherd’s Helpers is made up exclusively of volunteers, most of whom have full time jobs and others are retired. Most ramps require two full days of labor depending upon the layout of the project. Even though we may have a number of project requests, we normally attempt only one project a month unless we can team up with another group to supplement the labor. The Shepherd’s Helpers designs, acquires materials and supervises the construction of all of our projects.  (contact us at shepherdshelpers@suddenlink.com)

Read About Jarvis Ramp Project

Click Here!