Do Unto Others

Posted on

Jun 19, 2013

Book/Edition

Utah - Utah

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A couple months ago, Ray Andrus retired from decades of working for big names in construction. Now he's doing smaller projects for people he's never met and it may be some of the most rewarding work he's ever done.
"We all need to help each other and perhaps the best help we can give is to those who need the help the most," he said.
Andrus, 69, recently responded to a newspaper article asking for volunteers to perform odd jobs at the homes of the elderly and disabled in Davis County. He has committed 20 hours each week to fixing minor electrical problems or leaky faucets, digging up broken sprinklers, replacing light bulbs and getting caught up in a friendly conversation or two.
Andrus' commitment was a huge boon to the Do Unto Others program that Rocky Mountain Care Foundation launched this summer. An earlier countywide assessment had revealed large gaps in the services available to the two populations and Rocky Mountain's Dede Fluette was excited to get something started.
She had previously worked for similar programs in neighboring counties and continues to be shocked that "someone pays me to do this we just do good deeds and nice things for people."
Fluette feels the elderly generation deserves star treatment.
"They are the most vulnerable and the most deserving population," she said. "It's not like you can say to an 85-year-old woman 'go get a job.' They've kind of put in their time and if we can help them, then that's great."
The same is true for the disabled population the program assists, Fluette said.
"I don't think that just because they can't get up on the roof and fix a swamp cooler that they can't live independently in their own home," she said.
The Do Unto Others program in Davis County has a few requirements. Beneficiaries must be living at 150 percent of the federal poverty level, be 60 or older or living with a disability, own their home and live within the boundaries of Davis County. The program teams up carefully screened and experienced volunteers to help with minor home repairs and limited seasonal yard maintenance.
For more information contact Rocky Mountain Care Foundation at 801-397-4160
Editors Note: This article was submitted by Dede Fluette of the Rocky Mountain Care Foundation. For More information contact 801-397-4160.

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