![Student Volunteers: Brian Boxell, Peter Andrei, Aarthi Gopalan, Carlos Jose Ortiz Argueta, Amanda Charlwood, Madeline Stoddard, Haydn Flores, [Habitat Volunteer], Lou Vigeant, Jo-Anne Sawyer (Staff Advisor), Edward Smith, Justin Bates, and Rex Pinson. Photos/submitted.](https://www.communityadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/Sch-M-Hab-rehab-1-300x169.jpg)
The two organizations have partnered over the past two years to help provide home repairs to veterans, seniors and families in need.
The student volunteers and a handful of Habitat for Humanity’s volunteer staff made significant progress on the home improvement work. Despite the rain, students completed a variety of projects throughout the day-long event. Improvements included removing an old cement walkway; preparing the front yard for a new walkway; removing brush, stumps and weeds; laying mulch; and clearing the back yard.
“This program will provide much needed repairs to a veterans’ home in Marlborough,” Mayor Arthur Vigeant said. “It is great to see some of Marlborough’s own volunteering their time on a rainy Saturday to help one of their neighbors.”
MHS Habitat staff advisor Jo-Anne Sawyer (who also volunteered with her students) said, “The more direct an impact the students’ can see from their work – literally down the street for some – the more lasting an impact. Something as tangible as the transformation at this veteran’s home gives the students ownership of their role in the community and something to be proud of for years to come. I look forward to each of the next projects in this partnership and the opportunity it will provide not only to the student volunteers but the residents of Marlborough.”
The Marlborough Community Development Authority and Habitat for Humanity thanked student volunteers Brandon Cavicchio, Rex Pinson, Edward Smith, Justin Bates, Lou Vigeant, Carlos Jose Ortiz Argueta, Amanda Charlwood, Madeline Stoddard, Brian Boxell, Peter Andrei, and Aarthi Gopalan for completing necessary improvements to the house.
The Marlborough High School campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity supports the volunteer efforts of the MetroWest Greater Worcester Habitat chapter whenever possible. In the past, the high school has volunteered at the ReStore, a retail store that sells second-hand furniture and discount home improvement tools and materials run by Habitat, has worked on the current build site on Main Street in Northborough, and Operation Playhouse, a project that builds play structures for military families. The club hopes to increase awareness of Habitat’s work and fundraise to hold more events here in Marlborough. The Critical Home Repair Program is a big step toward this goal.
The MCDA offers loans through a variety of programs. To learn more about the programs and loans offered and to see if you qualify, visit www.marlborough-ma.gov/mcda. If you have questions about the Critical Home Repair Program, contact the MCDA Executive Director Douglas M. Bushman at [email protected] or 508-624-6908, ext. 40101.
