CIA Looking For a Few Seniors

If you or someone you know is a low-income senior citizen age 60 years 0ld or older, or handicapped elderly homeowner with a house in need of repairs, Tri-County Christmas In Action wants to hear from you.

Tri-County CIA is an organization serving the cities of Linden and Fenton, the village of Holly, and Argentine, Fenton, Holly, Rose and Tyrone townships. Volunteers from this organization unite on the last Saturday in April each year to complete free home repairs for qualifying homeowners. Doing so allows low-income seniors to remain safely in their homes and improve the community.

“Our concentration is on safety first,” said Jacqui Oakes, a Tri-County CIA coordinator. “This includes the installation of things like grab bars, railings, steps and wheelchair ramps.”

Other repairs volunteers can undertake are painting, roof replacement, fixing leaky plumbing and uneven floors, for example.

This year’s workday will be held Saturday, April 30, from 8 a.m. until the jobs are finished, said Oakes. Although the application deadline is April 1, Oakes said applications will be accepted for approximately one more week after that.

To qualify, there must be paid homeowner insurance on the houses selected for repair, and property taxes must be up to date. Tri-County CIA can only accept single family residences; no rentals or mobile homes.

“We’ve been doing this for five years in Fenton and eight years in Holly,” said Oakes.

This is the 39th year for the national Christmas In Action organization.

The work is done in partnership with local business communities, civic organizations, church groups and schools, who support this community project. There are many opportunities for volunteers to become involved. Business sponsorships and fund-raisers held throughout the year pay for the supplies used to make the repairs, said Oakes.

In order to nominate a home for Tri-County CIA’s consideration, call their Hotline at (810) 714-3986 and leave a message.

Volunteers, who must be 12 years old and up, are invited to a volunteers meeting for Fenton and Linden projects at 7 p.m. on April 21 at the Shiawassee Shores Club House, 1515 W. Rolston Road, Linden. A volunteer meeting for Holly projects will be held at 6:30 p.m. on April 21 at the First Baptist Church of Holly, 15030 N. Holly Road, Holly.

For more information, visit the Tri County Christmas In Action website at www. ciageneseeco.org.