Community With a Heart ready to help in Marion County – Ocala

Andy Fillmore| For the Star-Banner

TheCommunityWith A Heart2020-21 campaign kicked off this month, with thevolunteer outreach continuing to helplocal families achieve a better life.

CWAH has raised more than $1.8 million in 34 years of operation, and all funds went directly to local families, according to a campaign announcement from CWAH Chair Monica Bryant.

"This is a tough year for a lot of families, so we're hoping for a successful campaign," Bryant stated.

Last year, the lives of 52 families were improved with more than $69,000 donated by members of thecommunity. One of those helped was Essie Wright, of Ocala.

A Dec.25, 2019,Ocala Star-Banner article detailed how Wright's home in northwest Ocala needed bathroom plumbing, flooring repairs anda properly working hot water heater.

The 86-year-old woman was forced to walk with a cane across the interior of her home to use a second bathroom because of bad flooring in the bathroom nearest her bedroom.

Wright and her daughter Wanda Follins had cared for a family member in the home for 30 years, and house repairs were a low priority, Follins said.

In 2019, CWAH stepped in to help Wright, who also has medical issues.

"(The CWAH help) was a godsend," Follins said in a recent phone interview.

Scott Hackmyer is a CWAH board member and one of the field case workers who screens clients and helps coordinate repairs or other needed assistance.

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Doc's Restoration in Summerfield was set up to do plumbing repairs and renovateflooring in the bathroom, and anew hot water heater was installed by another company.

"You could feel the love," Follins said about the coordinated effort, which she said made her mother's life better.

Hackmyer said a donationby Doc's Restoration made the complete job possible.

"As the cost of renovating the bathroom exceeded the $1,200 maximum limit that CWAH has in place, a local church also helped with the cost and, as a Christmas present to Essie Wright, Doc's Restoration absorbed the total cost of the plumbing work that was needed to complete the bathroom repair," Hackmyer stated.

Follins gives thanks to God and appreciates the upgrades to her mother's home done by other members of the community through CWAH.

Hackmyer said a donor would be sought to upgrade Wrights heat pump system, which has had freeze-up problems.

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CWAH has assisted with outstanding mortgage and utility bills, and repairs have been madeby local tradesmen who donate their time to help their neighbors.

Fundraising, screening and organization of assistance projects is done by volunteers with no overhead costs.

"One hundred percent of all donations received go directly to help individuals and families that live in Marion County. The Marion County Sheriff's Department donates meeting space for us to use, and the member agencies that make upCommunityWith A Heart are all donating their time and services," Hackmyer stated in an email.

"Families are screened to assure the needs are legitimate, and a home visit is made to every family requesting help so we can verify what has been told to us. We are really trying to help those in crisis get from Point A to Point B, where they will be self-sufficient and survive the crisis they are currently experiencing," Hackmyer stated.

"The donations made by the public are what allow us to extend this helping hand to those in need in ourcommunity," Hackmyer stated.

To donate toCommunityWith A Heart, mail checks to CWAH Fund,P.O. Box 1777,Ocala, FL 34478.Donations are tax deductible and go directly to help residents in Marion County.

How to Apply for Assistance:

To seek help fromCommunityWith a Heart, contact one of the following agencies for a referral to the program: Marion County Children's Alliance, Brothers Keeper, Interfaith Emergency Services, Marion County School Social Services, Salvation Army,CommunityLegal Services of Mid-FloridaInc., Ocala Housing Authority, Soul Harvest Ministries, Isaiah Foundation, City of Ocala, Central FloridaCommunityAction Agency, Marion CountyCommunityServices and Habitat for Humanity.

Other ways to help

Marion County Children's Alliance:Funds for emergency shelter in motel/hotel for victims and survivors of domestic violence; gas cards, new, unwrapped toys or gift cards for children ages 12-18. Call(352) 438-5990.

Brothers Keeper:Gas cards, bus passes, unwrapped toys for children ages 1-12.(352) 622-3846.

Salvation Army:Shampoo and conditioner,coats for children ages 2-12,towels, bedding, bus passes and canned food items.(352) 732-8326.

Interfaith Emergency Services:Coats for all ages, Bus passes and non-perishable food items. (352) 629-8868.

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Community With a Heart ready to help in Marion County - Ocala