Rebuilding Together, formerly known as Christmas in April, partnered with SEND (Southeast Neighborhood Development) this year to help in the Fountain Square area. Many corporate sponsors kicked in money and provided volunteers to support the project that reportedly invested several hundred thousand dollars in the area.

The volunteers’ energy was apparent, even as officials kicked off the annual event with speeches. People arrived holding hammers, paintbrushes, shovels and rakes, as well as canned goods. “We make food baskets for the homeowners,” said Vicki Perkins of Rebuilding Together. “All of our work isn’t just on the outside of the home. We work on the inside, too.”

Professional contractors repaired structures in the area for a few weeks prior to the big push on Saturday. “They’ve updated electric, installed new windows and in some houses the plumbing was redone,” Ken Gall of SEND said. “Today’s volunteer day is mainly unskilled labor: painting and landscaping. But without it we’d never get done.”

Volunteer Al Stadleberger came for the day with a team of co-workers from Safeco. “The main reason is I really enjoy helping out others. It is amazing to see what a lot of people can do when they have a common goal.”

Along Asbury Street, neighbors were happy to see the volunteers. “There’s so many people here,” said Gertrude Simmons, a 32-year resident of the neighborhood. “It’s a blessing.”

“Gertrude is one of the many anchors in this area,” Gall said. “Her house is going to get a new kitchen floor. It will be painted. She’s getting a new refrigerator and the bathroom will be fixed.”

Juanita and Eugene Finchum live a few blocks from Simmons. For the past five years, the Finchums only used their bathroom tub for storage. They couldn’t get into the giant claw-foot tub because of their health issues. Instead of gathering rainwater in buckets, they have a new bathroom with a walk-in shower. “It’s unbelievable,” Juanita said. “They put all these new lights in here, fixed the walls and light switches. I can’t wait to use my new shower.”

Helping communities is Rebuilding Together’s goal. Its Web site states, “Rebuilding Together’s mission is to preserve and revitalize houses and communities, assuring that low-income homeowners, from the elderly and disabled to families with children, live in warmth, safety and independence. In partnership with communities, our goal is to make a sustainable impact.”

For more information visit www.indianapolis.rebuildingtogether.org.