In 2001, Rebuilding Together Lincoln County began assisting the community with minor repair projects around homes. Volunteers have hammered, painted, sawed, mowed and raked. On Sept. 23, 30 RTLC volunteers painted two homes in Boothbay, did lawn work in Boothbay, and assisted an Edgecomb homeowner by cleaning out their basement. Most volunteers have lived in the region for years and participated in several Rebuilding Together projects. 

But this year, a newcomer from Kingstown, Rhode Island grabbed a paint scraper and brush. Cassandra DeBlois is a 22-year-old recent Roger Williams University graduate. She is working as a research intern at Bigelow Laboratory. “At work, I received an email about the volunteer opportunity,” she said. “I wanted to do it because when I was young, people in Rhode Island helped my family, so I wanted to help to pay it back this way.”

DeBlois was assigned the painting project on Old Trevett Road. Her house captain was Tom Churchill. He was one of the four house captains leading the various projects. Churchill started as a Rebuilding Together volunteer five years ago. He worked in construction, so he is handy with tools and knowledgeable about repairs. “My friends urged me to join. I like doing things for the community, and if you are able, you probably should do what you can do to help people,” he said.

DeBlois is not the only volunteer from Bigelow. Laura Sofen is a researcher. She is from Lexington, Massachusetts, but now lives in Boothbay Harbor. Rebuilding Together is a national organization which started in 1973. Her first Rebuilding Together volunteer project occurred in California. “I did my first project while I was in graduate school. I came here, and my co-workers sent the word out they were looking for (Rebuilding Together) volunteers,” she said.

Most local volunteers participate in the several one-day projects scheduled around the peninsula, but others participate in several throughout the year. Allan Miller is a Rebuilding Together Gold Member which means he volunteers for several projects throughout the year. “I’m retired so I can work a little more, so, we work all year long,” he said. Miller works about 20 projects per year, mostly in Lincoln County. He joined RTLC five years ago. “We try to stay close here on the peninsula, but sometimes I get as far as Jefferson.,” he said.

Jim Stevens of Boothbay Harbor is a veteran RTLC volunteer. As he was scraping paint at the Old Trevett Road location, Stevens sported a Rebuilding Together hat showing he has worked on many projects over the years. He joined in RTLC’s second year to set a good example for his children. “I wanted to show them volunteering is important. Plus, I’m a physical therapist so I know how difficult it is for seniors to do projects on their own.” 

Rebuilding Together’s website reports the non-profit organization has a network affiliate of 114 offices throughout the U.S. and has repaired over 220,000 homes.