Center for disabilities gets a facelift in Mount Holly

MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (WPVI) -- A center for children and adults with disabilities is getting a big boost with the help of several volunteers.

The corporate slogan for Lowes home improvement stores is "Never Stop Improving." And volunteers from stores Lumberton and Maple Shade are putting that into action.

They're working together on a complete makeover of the back yard at the Githens Center in Mount Holly, a non-profit that provides services to children and adults with disabilities.

Anna Simpkins, Project Manager said, "Making a huge commitment doing this, and we love giving back and it's just a part of what we are and loving the community."

The back yard facelift includes construction of a gazebo for extra shade, painting and adding new picnic tables, putting in a wheelchair-friendly patio, and pulling down and replacing faulty gutters.

Jesse Smith, a volunteer said, "Removed the old gutter, clean things out of there and put the ends on."

Another volunteer Juan Cintron said, "If there's something where we can help, where they don't feel as if they have to worry about getting somewhere finding shade or just wheeling around and just being in areas they're comfortable in."

The facelift means a big upgrade for the back yard here at Githens, a great space that'll be put to use immediately.

"This is wonderful. We couldn't have afforded this. It's not in our budget and we're just delighted that they chose us to spend their time and money and effort," Githens Center Executive Director John O'Leary said.

The labor is free. The materials add up to about $3000 - all donated by Lowes.

"It really is wonderful to see what a few hours of your time and a little elbow grease can really do," volunteer Stephanie Schmauder said.

And knowing that these Githens clients will be able to spend quality time outdoors is a great motivator.

"Just to see the smile on their face it'll make it all worth it. You know, just to be able to do something really good for them. It's really good," volunteer Desmond Anderson said.

Van Burgos, a volunteer added, "With disabilities, without disabilities, it's just giving back. It's always well worth it."

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