Hull Village Association, Habitat for Humanity help couple with home repairs
A Hull Village couple has received badly needed roof repairs to their historic home thanks to the kindness of their neighbors.
Crews started work on the Main Street house, built in 1889 by the grandfather of current owner Dave Nickerson, last week. Hull Village Association President Bob Pahl said he and two other members, Kerry Hnath and Kathleen Wolf, organized the effort to help Nickerson and his wife, Laurie, both native Hullonians.
NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS. When the Nickersons of Hull Village needed help repairing the roof of their antique Main Street home, the Hull Village Association enlisted the support of its members and of South Shore Habitat for Humanity to fund the work. Crews from Doherty Customs took advantage of last week’s fair weather to do the work. [Photo by Bob Pahl]
Hnath launched a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising a total of $40,000 for repair work to the home at 22 Main St. The new roof was identified as the most immediate need.
“Unfortunately, because of failing health and a fixed income they are no longer able to properly care for their historic home,” she wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Their roof has been leaking for over a year and so badly so that they cannot leave the house when it rains, as they have to empty buckets of water catching the rain so they don’t overflow. The rain has caused the floors to warp and mold to form on walls. The house needs other repairs as well [including a] porch that is close to caving in and trim that’s rotted.”
With $1,880 raised from the website and another $2,200 from direct outreach to neighbors, Pahl and the other HVA members contacted South Shore Habitat for Humanity for assistance through its Critical Home Repair Program. This helps low- to moderate-income seniors reclaim their homes with pride and dignity by focusing on repairs that address health, safety, and code issues.. South Shore Habitat worked with the neighborhood association to provide funding toward the repairs.
Pahl, who is an architect, then contacted Eric Doherty of Doherty Customs, and the contractor began work last week
Pahl said the Hull Village Association was founded in 1992 by residents who wanted to create a sense of community spirit and pride within the neighborhood. Social events, beautification projects, and acts of community kindness have been bringing neighbors together year after year. The organization works diligently to prepare for new and annual events to make it easy for households of all types to get involved, meet new people, and connect with their neighbors.
He added that donations are still being accepted to help the Nickersons with other work that is needed. For more information, visit https://gofund.me/ce019572.
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