ANDOVER — A local woman said Thursday she intends to start a fundraiser to help needy local homeowners whose roofs are in need of repair.

Melanie Nordwall, a single mother of two children, said she came up with the idea of the Raise a Roof project last year, but she was in the middle of doing a fundraiser for another family in need.

“I figured that I could start the roof project in January,” she said.

Nordwall said that while there are groups that provide funding assistance to people to repair their homes, a lot of the organizations examine income, while some elderly people and veterans are “just above the required line for assistance.”

“Income isn’t the only factor to take into account,” Nordwall said. “I decided I wanted to try and come up with a fundraiser that would help people in the River Valley area who need a little extra help.”

Nordwall said she would like to raise $20,000 for the project.

“In order to hit that goal, I want to hold a lot of events over the summer that people can attend and donate to,” Nordwall said.

The Apostolic Church of Rumford offered to help with fundraising and manpower, she said.

Criteria for assistance includes:

• Single-family homes owned by the occupants with a roof having more than 50 percent damage or disrepair.

• A letter identifying the name, address and contact information of a potential person or family, along with an explanation of why help is needed .

“After we receive the letters, we’ll select five or six of them randomly,” Nordwall said.

Letters will be accepted in April, May and June, with the work beginning during the summer or fall.

Residents can send their letters to P.O. Box 315, Andover, ME 04216.

“After we figure out the people who will have their roofs repaired, we still have to visit each home to see the roof and make sure it qualifies,” Nordwall said. “If we end up raising enough money to fix a few houses, we’ll fix them as soon as we have the money, rather than wait until the fall.” 

Among the fundraising plans is a large, family-oriented craft fair.

“I’ve already spoken with TrueValue in Turner about getting a bounce house for the fair, and I went to some of the fire departments in the area, because I know they have a dunk tank that they use sometimes,” Nordwall said. “If anybody wants to help out or wants to help organize something, feel free.”

Nordwall said she created a Facebook page called “Raise a Roof (RVA)” that people can join for updates about fundraisers or to offer their services. She also created a website called myevent.com/RaiseaRoof where people can donate money.

Nordwall said the first fundraiser is selling Rada cutlery.

“For the entire month of February, people can help by either collecting Rada cutlery orders or purchasing something,” Nordwall said. “I’m hoping that we can raise enough money next month to help cover advertising costs or printing off fliers to post around the River Valley area.”

She also said anybody with spare materials or tools to donate can send her a message on Facebook.

“As a single mother of two kids who works 50 hours a week and only has Thursdays and Sundays free, I have a lot of work ahead of me,” she said.

“Right now, it’s just me setting things up, and the church, who agreed to help me with the roofs, without expecting any money or payment in return,” Nordwall said. “What it boils down to is I want to help out families who need a little assistance.”

mdaigle@sunmediagroup.net

 

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

13 years later: Dixfield cats waiting for inheritance

Next »

This week's agenda