Front row, from left: Charlie Bird, Scott Moore, Nick Shilling, Karen Heeter, Richard Groninger, Back row, from left: Todd Doberstein, Tyler Palmer, Megan Carr

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — A Warsaw resident benefited from a community project Saturday, Oct. 17.

Karen Heeter has lived in her house on Clark Street in Warsaw since 1988.

According to Pam Kennedy, executive director of Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, a local not-for-profit organization that assists in improving the housing conditions of low-income households in Kosciusko County, Heeter contacted her recently about her porch, which had deteriorated over the years.

G&G employees designed the new porch, called for utilities to be marked and arrived at 7:30 a.m. Saturday to construct the porch.

HOW assisted Heeter and her late husband 15 years ago with the installation of windows and a new furnace. Heeter’s husband passed away four years ago.

“She is very unsure of herself with him gone. Her front porch was deteriorating, so her son was trying to build a new one without experience,” Kennedy said. “He was unaware about building permits and building codes.”

Kennedy said Richard Groninger, vice president of G&G Hauling and Excavating in Warsaw, had contacted Housing Opportunities to inquire about projects his employees could work on.

HOW Program Manager Alaister McFarren worked with G&G to coordinate the construction of a new porch for Heeter.

G&G employees designed the new porch, called for utilities to be marked and arrived at 7:30 a.m. Saturday to construct the porch.

“This will save using funds from the Home of Your Own revolving loan fund for Warsaw residents,” Kennedy said. “It has been great this week to hear a smile on her face through the phone. She has something to look forward to.”

Richard Groninger, who owns and operates G&G with his brother, Kosciusko County Commissioner Cary Groninger, said the company is always looking for opportunities to help serve the community.

“We have a program where we pay up to 16 hours to our employees to help with community involvement just to help get them out there,” Richard said. “What we find is that usually after doing a few hours of it,  most of them are donating the money back or not even accepting pay to do it because they enjoy it so much.”

Because Heeter has been having difficulty getting down the steps to her mailbox, G&G also installed a handrail.

“Not only did she get the work done, but she has the community showing her that people care,” Kennedy said.

Richard Groninger, who owns and operates G&G with his brother, Kosciusko County Commissioner Cary Groninger, said the company is always looking for opportunities to help serve the community.

A picture of the porch taken Monday morning, Oct. 19.