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NILES -- A city resident on Friday received some much-needed help on her property.
Carol Walker got a hand -- actually, several hands -- from the United Way of Trumbull County and TEMA Roofing to take care of some light yard maintenance around her property. This is the first time this year that the United Way has been able to help senior citizens with such chores.
"When we started United Way at Work, the idea was to help seniors do light yard maintenance and light home repairs. The need for that has been exacerbated by the pandemic, so this is a really good thing that our United Way can do to help families in Trumbull County," Ginny Pasha, United Way of Trumbull County president, said.
Walker is 75 and raising her grandson, so she is unable to properly take care of the property. Thankfully, TEMA Roofing was able to step up and help.
"TEMA Roofing is a family-owned business. We were founded on family values," company Vice President Justin Froelich said. "Giving back to a community that makes us our living was an easy decision. She's put in her time and now it's time for us to put in ours."
Froelich and his employees voluntarily took it upon themselves to assist the United Way. The event is usually on a grander scale, but had to be scaled back because of the pandemic.
"Typically we have about 250 volunteers doing what TEMA is doing, but with the pandemic, those who worry about their personal health and corporations that have policies in place prohibits that. TEMA jumped at the opportunity that will allow us to help Mrs. Walker," Pasha said.
The United Way sent out emails asking for volunteers and TEMA responded.
Walker said the help is a blessing.
"I just wholly appreciate it and I can't say or thank these people enough. I just love it and they do such a good job," she said.
Moving forward, both Pasha and Froelich anticipate more partnerships. Froelich has volunteered with the organization before, doing various work ranging from going to schools to opportunities similar to Friday's cleanup.
"TEMA has been a really good partner of ours," Pasha said. "We see an opportunity to work with them on a variety of levels."
nhawthorne@tribtoday.com