Saint James' Builds: Caring for a caretaker

Saint James’ Builds recently worked on Peggy’s trailer in Amissville. 

When we got there, the first thing we noticed was how bad the floors were. Peggy couldn't invite anyone over and spent a lot of time stepping over the holes in her floors to avoid getting hurt. 

The trailer was definitely in need of repairs. There were leaks along the roof line, the deck outside was old and splintered and the front steps were coming apart. There were four days of work, including a demo day where Chris, Ryan and Nolan removed all the deck boards. 

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Then, during the build, the talented volunteers replaced all the deck boards and rails; removed and replaced the main floor in the living room; repaired and replaced the floor in the kitchen; rebuilt the gate to the deck; repaired the front stairs and rails; fixed the faucet in the bathroom that was leaking; replaced trim; added new thresholds; repaired the back porch steps and rails; sealed the roof leaks; and added a small shed and replaced the flooring in the hallway. 

This has manifested itself in Peggy’s life by creating new spaces where she can feel safe and comfortable. Her home is small, so the outdoor deck creates a second area where she spends time and socializes with her neighbors. Peggy mentioned that she's walking better now that she doesn't have to stress her body by stepping over the holes in her floor. She has a major health issue and safety is a primary concern. Peggy can also now invite friends and family over and share a safe indoor space with them. 

Peggy was a caretaker for other people her entire life. And now we've had a chance to care for her.

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