New Kensington family gets porch rebuilt through Habitat's 'Brush With Kindness' campaign

Through Allegheny Valley Habitat for Humanity and with the help of volunteers from Lowe’s Home Improvement, a New Kensington family has a new porch on their home.

The project to rebuild the front porch of Devon Schulz’s home started Friday and was expected to wrap up Wednesday, said John Tamiggi, Allegheny Valley Habitat’s executive director.

The project was done as part of the organization’s “Brush With Kindness” campaign, he said. Eight volunteers from the Lowe’s store in Hampton participated during work Tuesday.

“It is provided to underserved and disadvantaged residents in the Allegheny Valley in need of exterior home repair support,” Tamiggi said.

Schulz’s porch was in desperate need of repair.

“Unfortunately, like many of the homes and porches in the community, termites and Mother Nature have gotten the best of them,” he said.

Schulz applied for the help.

“Our porch was very bad, and we are blessed to have this opportunity,” she said.

Tamiggi said the porch is one of about 10 repair projects the Habitat for Humanity chapter will finish this year. It is concentrating its efforts in New Kensington and Arnold, for which it received support from the Westmoreland Community Foundation.

Residents in need of help can be placed on a waiting list for the spring by contacting the Allegheny Valley Habitat for Humanity at 724-594-1051 or through its website at habitatav.org.