• Rotary Year: 2018-2019
  • Application Date: 5/31/2018
  • Club Name: Harrisonburg
  • Project Name: Build United- Accessibility Improvements for Aging Couple
  • Project Total Expenditures: $8,000.00
  • Grant Amount Requested: $4,000.00
  • Describe the Project, its location and its objectives: A local couple needs assistance with accessibility and health related functionality of their home. They are unable to access the second floor of their home and not able to utilize the bathroom facilities in their home. Both husband and wife have disabling conditions and their son, a 49 year-old with health concerns and a limited income, lives with them and is aiding in their care. The family has continuing medical expenses during this time as they continue to pay for their care. Due to constant health issues, the family has depleted their savings.

    Due to their disabling conditions, the husband and wife cannot safely use the bathtub and therefore rely on sponge baths. They would benefit from having a walk-in/roll-in shower. Additionally, they are unable to go to the second floor of their home because of an inability to climb stairs. They would be able to go upstairs safely with the use of an electric rail chair.

    Our objectives include renovating a bathroom to be accessibly for a wheelchair and replacing their current tub/show with a roll-in/walk-in shower with a handicap seat and grab bars. We will also install an electric rail chair on their staircase in order to promote accessibility to other areas of the home. Our ultimate goal is to provide safe and secure ways for this family to move freely around their home and take care of their most basic needs.

    The additional project funds ($1,500) that are not used for this project will go towards other Build United accessibility projects. We accept projects on a rolling basis throughout the year and try to turn them around in 3-6 months and these additional funds could be used to build a ramp for a disabled individual in Harrisonburg or to modify a bathroom to make it accessible.
  • This is the Club’s: Primary Project Application
  • Expected Start Date: 7/1/2018
  • Expected End Date: 5/7/2019
  • Expected Number of Beneficiaries: 10
  • Describe how the project will benefit the community and/or improve the lives of the less fortunate: Through the completion of this project, we hope to give a sense of independence back to the homeowners. One of our goals is that they are able to comfortably and safely navigate their renovated bathroom and easily access their upstairs without fear. This project will improve the community because it will be helping one family feel more safe and secure in their home. These individuals will have a more accessible house making it easier to move in and out of the home so they will be more engaged in community activities. In order to care for the whole community, you must also care for the individual.
  • Estimated Total Project Volunteer Hours: 15
  • Describe the Rotarian hands-on activities in the project (i.e. non-financial participation): Rotarians would be our volunteer labor. We would ask for assistance in moving the materials from Harrisonburg stores to the home out in Singers Glen. Additionally, Rotarians would be the installation team, installing both the roll-in/walk-in shower and the electric chair with the assistance of skilled team leaders. Rotarians would also be involved in the building and or installation of ramps in any other projects completed with these funds.
  • Describe the publicity plan to inform the general public that this is a Rotary sponsored project: United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County would include a thank-you to Rotary in our monthly newsletter and on our social media accounts, Facebook and Twitter. We would publicly thank the group on our website. This would include a photo and description of the project, the funding source and it would link directly to the local club and Rotary International.

    We do not place signage outside of private homes that we are renovating in order to preserve the dignity of the homeowners.

  • Cooperating Organizations – Please list each cooperating organization, if any: None
  • Letter(s) of Participation: Build United- Letter of Participation.pdf
  • Project Expenditure Budget – list detail uses of funds for the project, or use the Budget Upload: See Budget Upload
  • Project Funding Budget – list detail sources of funds for the project, or use the Budget Upload: See Budget Upload
  • Budget Upload:UWHR Detailed Budget Rotary Grant.xlsx
  • Primary Contact Name: Andy Vanhook
  • Primary Contact Rotary Position: President
  • Primary Contact Email: andy@appealproduction.com
  • Primary Contact Phone: (540)271-0023
  • Financial Contact Name: Robyn Hill
  • Financial Contact Rotary Position: Treasurer
  • Financial Contact Address: 
    544 S Main St
    Harrisonburg, VA 22801
    United States View on Map
  • Financial Contact Email: robyn_e_hill@yahoo.com
  • Financial Contact Phone: (540)209-7777
  • District Grant Project Authorization LetterBuild United- Project Authorization Letter.pdf
  • Grant Number: 1819-10
  • Grant Award: $4,000.00