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Columbus, OH: 200 Volunteers Begin Large-Scale Home Repair Project Today

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 26, 2010

COLUMBUS – Twenty volunteer teams arrived in Columbus over the weekend with their hearts and minds focused on the near-west side neighborhood of Franklinton. The two-hundred plus One Heart – Many Hands volunteers traveled from as far away as Orlando, FL and New Paltz, NY and as nearby as Reynoldsburg, OH to spend this week repairing homes of low-income, single-parent, handicapped and elderly families. There is no cost to the recipients of these services.

Thirty-five critical-need projects in Franklinton owner-occupied homes will be completed this week, including: making bathrooms and kitchens handicapped accessible, repairing roofs, installing gutters, and repairing wheelchair ramps.

Over the last several months, leaders from the international service organization known as One Heart – Many Hands have established partnerships with locally-based Lower Lights Community Church of the Nazarene, Lower Lights Ministries, the Lower Lights Christian Health Center and Mayor Coleman’s development office.

“We are working with so many wonderful people (like the folks from Lower Lights Christian Health Center, Lower Lights Ministries and Community Church) who have committed their lives to helping local families in need,” said OHMH president George Sisler. “Nowhere in the world have I seen greater personal sacrifice and commitment to serving others, than what I see occurring in Franklinton every day.” Sisler, who lives in central Ohio, spent much of the last nine years organizing similar projects in Orlando, the Gulf Coast, and Indianapolis, and helping with relief efforts following earthquakes in Haiti and Chile.

With plans to establish a long-term presence in Columbus, OHMH is working from a model the organization developed in Orlando and other cities. Last year, One Heart – Many Hands organized a large scale, week-long service project in Central Florida, involving more than 100 home-base projects and more than 2000 volunteers from across the world; efforts continue in that city. Since 1993, more than 10,000 OHMH volunteers have completed more than 500 home-based projects in Indianapolis, San Antonio, Chiapas (Mexico), and other large urban areas.

Many area businesses have contributed to the week-long effort with cash and in-kind donations including: The Andersons, Head Incorporated, Home Depot (West Broad St.), The Kroger Company & Bakery, Lindsey Honda, McDonalds, Richmark Gutter Co., Romeo’s Pizza (Pickerington), Subway (Pickerington), Wendy's, and Wal-Mart (Reynoldsburg). Further, Anthony-Thomas Candies donated a west-side warehouse space that is being used to organize tools and building materials.

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(past releases)

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Media Contact: James Lee, media@oneheartmanyhands.com

One Heart – Many Hands Volunteers to Begin Repairing Homes in Franklinton Next Month

COLUMBUS -- Hundreds of volunteers from across the United States will bring their tool belts and paint brushes to the Columbus neighborhood of Franklinton next month as the international service organization known as One Heart – Many Hands launches its home-repair operations in Central Ohio.

“The easiest way to say it is that One Heart - Many Hands is an organization that connects people with opportunities to help others in need,” said OHMH President George Sisler. “We’re excited to be establishing a presence in Columbus, and working with local organizations, businesses, and city officials that share our commitment to improve the living conditions of low-income, elderly, handicapped and single parent families.”

OHMH staffers, working with locally-based Lower Lights Ministries, the Lower Lights Christian Health Center and the Columbus Mayor's development office, have identified more than thirty-five critical-need projects in Franklinton owner-occupied homes. From July 25 - 31, OHMH volunteers from across the country will join local volunteers making bathrooms and kitchens handicapped accessible, repairing roofs and completing other home-based projects. There is no cost to the recipients of these services.

“Columbus has always been a community of generosity and compassion,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “We welcome the folks from One Heart – Many Hands to our city and thank them for bringing with them their spirit of service.”

Through June 30, One Heart – Many Hands will continue to sign-up volunteers from local schools, churches and other service-minded organizations. Volunteers of every skill-level are need. Any teams interested in volunteering should go to the website: oneheartmanyhands.com.

With plans to establish a long-term presence in Columbus, OHMH is working from a model the organization has developed in other cities. Last year, One Heart – Many Hands organized a large scale, week-long service project in Orlando, involving more than 100 home-base projects and more than 2000 volunteers from across the world. The OHMH effort continues today in that city’s most economically challenged neighborhoods, with a permanent “One Hands” office now organizing volunteers and projects throughout the year. Since 1995, more than 10,000 OHMH volunteers have completed more than 500 home-based projects in Indianapolis, San Antonio, Chiapas (Mexico), and other large urban areas.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, June 22, 2009

Photos

ONE HEART – MANY HANDS, MAYOR CROTTY OPEN AREA’S LARGEST COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

ORLANDO –Hundreds of out-of-town volunteers gathered up their water bottles and sunscreen first thing Monday but not in preparation for a day at the theme park. They picked up hammers, paintbrushes and nail guns instead to begin what local officials say is the largest community service project in Orlando and Orange County history.

Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty, One Heart – Many Hands founder and President Gary Morsch, and General Secretary for the International Church of the Nazarene David Wilson, officially opened One Heart – Many Hands 2009 Monday at a home near South Orange Blossom Trail. The five-day, 1600-volunteer strong service project will include repairs and renovations at the homes of 100 elderly, disabled, single-parent families and others with special needs.

Pine Hills, Holden Heights along the South Orange Blossom Trail, and sections of West Orlando between South John Young Parkway and South Kirkman Road are the primary service areas for home-based projects. Volunteers will also clean and do general maintenance work at city and county parks.

Most of the volunteers will also attend the Church of the Nazarene’s quadrennial convention at the Orange County Convention Center June 24 – July 3. The church partners with the One Heart – Many Hands organization to coordinate city-wide service projects during its assemblies in order to leave a more lasting impression than what tourist dollars can accomplish. One Heart – Many Hands volunteers have arrived in Orlando from 30 states, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, India and Canada. Local volunteers include students from Mid-Florida Tech and Valencia Community College, the Local 1010 Painters union and area churches. Volunteers will contribute $1.3 million in free labor to the area during the week.

The kick-off took place at the home of Willie Rhodes, one of 100 One Heart – Many Hands’ project sites. Rhodes’ home of 17 years has never been renovated to accommodate his wheelchair. By week’s end, the home will have wider entryways, a wheelchair accessible bathroom and kitchen and new appliances donated by The Home Depot on Lee Road in Winter Park.

One Heart – Many Hands started in earnest last summer when staffers moved to Orlando to begin forging partnerships with local government, nonprofit groups and businesses. Since then area businesses and agencies have contributed more than $350,000 in cash, grants and in-kind donations to the project.

"We organized One Heart -- Many Hands in 1993 to bring diverse groups together -- volunteers, churches, government and business -- to meet the needs of a community. What's happened in Orlando and Orange County over the past year, culminating in the events of this week, is truly a model for how this process can work effectively," Morsch said. "We're looking towards one of the best weeks in the organization’s history."

One Heart – Many Hands’ partners include Orange County's ReNew Grant Program, Marmac Concord, Inc., The Morsch Law Group, Florida Hospitals, The Home Depot, The Home Depot Foundation, The JayMor Group, Purdy Corp., Winn-Dixie, Contractor Equipment Rental, 84 Lumber, Mid Florida Tech, Valencia Community College, Wendy's, Darland Bakery, Selma's Cookies, Subway Restaurants, Harvest-Time International, Sysco Corp, Merita Bread Bakery, Coca Cola, and Orange County Fire Rescue.

"This project is a great example of the meaning of partnership and community service; it is a reminder that Americans are at their best when their neighbors are in need. We, as local government, corporate partners and private citizens are grateful for the generosity of these volunteers and are proud to work by their side,” said Crotty.

For more information visit OneHeartManyHands.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / April 27, 2009

ONE HEART – MANY HANDS, LOCAL OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR AREA-WIDE SERVICE PROJECT

ORLANDO -- One Heart – Many Hands founder and President Dr. Gary Morsch met with Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty and District 6 Commissioner Tiffany Moore Russell Monday to announce final preparations concerning the large scale community service project scheduled for June 21-26.

One Heart – Many Hands Orlando 2009 is being organized in conjunction with the International Church of the Nazarene’s Quadrennial Assembly, which will convene 25,000 delegates and members at the Orange County Convention Center June 24 – July. As many as 2,000 volunteers from 30 states will arrive prior to the convention to provide free labor for over 100 service projects, including repairing roofs, floors, windows and wheel chair ramps in homes of low-income, elderly, disabled and single parent families, and others with special needs. The primary service area includes the Holden Heights and Pine Hills communities, which are in Russell’s district. The services are provided at no cost to recipients.

“This isn’t the largest convention we’ve ever had but they will have a very strong economic impact, and do something even more important and that is to do good while they’re in our community” said Crotty.

One of the unique things about this project, Crotty said, is that volunteers are not only paying their personal expenses but are also contributing to the project’s expenses through registration fees and donations that cover the cost of building materials, meals, and insurance. Volunteers will contribute more than $1 million in labor during the week.

Although most of the project’s volunteers will be visiting conventioneers, several hundred Central Florida residents are participating and area businesses have pitched in by donating building supplies, food and office and warehouse space.

“Of all times this is the time we need to be working together. Private citizens, churches, the business community, government --we can all work together to serve the needs of members of our community,” said Morsch.

In Summer 2008, One Heart – Many Hands Project Director George Sisler set up a post in Orlando to forge relationships with local government, community and business leaders in anticipation of the massive week-long 2009 service project. County and City officials and the Orange Blossom Trail Development Board have assisted One Heart – Many Hands with identifying target communities and referring homeowners. Thus far, business partners committed to donating supplies, office/warehouse space and cash include: Marmac Concord, Inc., The Morsch Law Group, Florida Hospitals, The Home Depot, The JayMor Group, Purdy Corp., Winn-Dixie, Contractor Equipment Rental, 84 Lumber, Mid Florida Tech and Valencia Community College.

In pre-project events during the last 11 months, more than 300 One Heart – Many Hands volunteers have visited Orange County, donating over 8,000 hours of free labor on 26 service projects similar to those planned for late June.

One Heart – Many Hands has previously organized large scale service projects in Indianapolis (1993, 2001 and 2005) and San Antonio (1997) — all coinciding with the Nazarene General Assemblies. Since its inception, One Heart - Many Hands (a not-for-profit corporation created to meet the needs of people through volunteer service), has organized more than 8,000 volunteers to complete over 400 projects in the U.S. and Mexico.

Anyone interested in volunteering should visit www.oneheartmanyhands.com

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February 20, 2009 [Feature Article On the latest OHMH partnership]

84 Lumber Becomes Latest Partner to Support One Heart – Many Hands

It’s true that 84 Lumber Company has seen a lot of changes since 1956 when Joseph A. Hardy opened his first cash and carry lumber yard. Today, the company has grown to become the nation’s leading privately held building materials and services supplier to professional contractors, with hundreds of locations nationwide and thousands of employees. One thing that hasn’t changed through the years is a commitment to being a positive influence wherever 84 happens to hang a shingle.

As you might expect, Mr. Hardy and 84 Lumber have generously invested in their own rural hometown, donating to hundreds of local charities and creating a better economic climate that for decades has produced jobs and a strong tax base in Fayette County, PA. But Don Milburn, store manager of the 84 Lumber in Sanford, FL, also recalls that numerous churches in his region of the country were built, foundation to roof, entirely from materials donated by 84 Lumber. Whether it’s Habitat for Humanity, Hospice or Hurricane Katrina Relief, 84 has a record throughout the country for doing good, and doing it well.

So, when Mr. Milburn came to learn about our large scale service project slated for June in Orlando, he saw a natural partnership between his employer (that has lots of building materials and likes to help people) and One Heart – Many Hands (that needs lots of building materials and also likes to help people).

With a company as large as 84 Lumber, at any give time, there’s naturally a lot of wood, nails, paint, insulation, door knobs, smoke detectors and such moving around the country on trains and trucks. Some of those materials, already on their way to the lumber yard that Mr. Milburn manages in suburban Orlando, will find the willing hands of One Heart volunteers.

“This project will be very significant, helping a lot of people,” said Don Milburn. “For the people who are serving (the volunteers) the reward will also be tremendous.”

By June 26, 2009 (the close of our week-long project), you’ll find literally tons of 84 Lumber building supplies attached to floors and roofs, walls and fences, wheelchair ramps and windows throughout economically challenged neighborhoods in and around Orlando. Some supplies will be donated; some materials we will be able to purchase at generously discounted rates. What this immediately means for One Heart – Many Hands is that we are blessed with yet another local partner with a strong national reputation. The more such partnerships we can develop, the more people we can serve. Thus, we are encouraged to continue doing all we can to prepare for the arrival of thousands of volunteers who, like 84 Lumber Company, began by simply asking, “What can I do to help?”

November 15, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOCAL HOME DEPOT SUPPORTS ONE HEART - MANY HANDS

ORLANDO – One Heart – Many Hands Project Director George Sisler today announced a partnership with The Home Depot in Winter Park, 5351 Diplomat Circle, Orlando. In a generous effort to support the large-scale public service project scheduled for June 2009, the store management has agreed to donate building materials and other products that through the natural merchandising process would not otherwise be sold to customers.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the incredible amount of community support we are receiving from Orlando and Orange County businesses, government officials, social service agencies, churches and other organizations,” said Sisler. “Because of partnerships with community leaders like The Home Depot, this coming June our 3,000 volunteers will be able to do a lot of good in short amount of time.”

The materials donated by The Home Depot will be used on One Heart – Many Hands projects such as repairing floors and roofs, walls and fences, wheelchair ramps and windows in Orlando-area homes occupied by low-income, elderly, handicapped, and single-parent families. There is no cost to families who receive the service.

One Heart – Many Hands is a global initiative that works with local officials to organize large-scale urban public service projects. From June 21-26, 2009, thousands of volunteers from Central Florida and throughout the United States will arrive in Orlando to assist with the week-long effort.

“We’ve always taken an active role in helping the community,” said Herb Oakley, Assistant Manager at The Home Depot in Winter Park. “I’m happy to see that our company will have a pronounced impact on this project. The majority [of the donations] are brand new materials. This stuff (that we normally would dispose of) will go to the purpose for which it was intended.”

Oakley anticipates that by June, the accumulated nails, screws and other hardware, along with paint, electrical, gardening and building materials will represent tens of thousands of dollars worth merchandise.

In advance of the project’s kickoff, Sisler continues to seek-out partnerships with Orlando-area businesses, public service agencies and non-profit organizations. Those interested in volunteering or otherwise contributing to the effort should contact the OHMH staff via email: office@oneheartmanyhands.com

November 1, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Adapted from the United Nations Association – Greater Kansas City Chapter News Release]

OHMH Founder and President Dr. Gary Morsch Named 2008 Kansas City World Citizen

KANSAS CITY - Dr. Gary Morsch, president and founder, Heart to Heart International and One Heart – Many Hands, was recently named a 2008 recipient of the Kansas City World Citizen Award. The award was presented at the 2008 Mayor's UN Day Dinner on Friday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m., Pierson Auditorium, University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Dr. Morsch is a family physician who believes each of us longs to make a positive difference in the world and every person is uniquely gifted to do so. Dr. Morsch's lifelong commitment to volunteerism has taken him around the world -- from inner city shelters to rural clinics, from refugee camps to mission hospitals. Along the way, he has encountered some remarkable people, including Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama and Pope John Paul II.

In 1992, Dr. Morsch helped found Heart to Heart International where he is president. Heart to Heart is an international medical relief organization working worldwide to deliver pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and medical education to people in need. Dr. Morsch has organized and led Heart to Heart volunteer teams on missions throughout the world. Dr. Morsch also founded an organization of family physicians who desire the flexibility to practice medicine and devote time to volunteer opportunities. Docs Who Care provides family practice and emergency room staffing for rural hospitals in seven states.

Dr. Morsch has served with distinction in the military, enlisting at the age of 17 during the Vietnam war. He holds the rank of colonel in the Army Reserves and recently served in Iraq, Kosovo and Germany.

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October 31, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VOLUNTEER LEADERS TOUR JOB SITES

ORLANDO -- Servant-leaders from across the United States assembled in Orange County over the weekend to tour job sites, meet with local officials and network as they began delegating responsibilities and putting plans in place for next year’s massive, community-focused service project.

Representatives came from as far away as Oregon, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Delaware. Project Director George Sisler guided his visitors through some of Central Florida’s most economically challenged neighborhoods. The group saw first-hand the extent of the needs and the numerous opportunities for service.

Ron and Chris Fox, veterans of One Heart – Many Hands projects in Indianapolis and Mexico, arrived from the West Coast late Thursday night. Their day began early Friday morning at the headquarters of one of our local partner organizations, the Orange Blossom Trail Development Board, which acts as a service agency in a community that is best described as on the move toward revitalization and self-sufficiency. It is in neighborhoods like this where next June thousands of volunteers from throughout America and across the world will be hard at work painting homes, repairing floors, fixing plumbing and offering encouragement to area residents.

Information sessions continued through Sunday after which the 30 to 50 attendees traveled back to their own communities with plans to relay all they learned to the volunteer groups they lead.

Group leaders who plan to participate in the June 2009 project, but were unable make this tour, should contact the One Heart - Many Hands office immediately to begin the registration process (including reserving hotel space at our special group rates). There also may be additional opportunities to tour the job sites prior to next summer's event.

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July 23, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ADVANCE WORK BEGINS IN ORLANDO

ORLANDO - One Heart – Many Hands staff and supporters this week joined a gathering of influential business leaders and public officials assembled by Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty. The purpose of the meeting was to network and begin planning for the large-scale One Heart - Many Hands service project scheduled for June 2009.

County and city officials expressed eagerness to help make the One Heart - Many Hands project a success and area business leaders are showing a remarkable willingness to pitch-in and offer their resources.

One Heart - Many Hands Project Director George Sisler says, "If we continue developing these wonderful local partnerships, and we are able to recruit enough volunteers from schools, churches and other organizations across the United States and throughout the world, I'm confident that this project will be an amazing success.”

From June 21-26, 2009 thousands of volunteers from the International Church of the Nazarene will work with local volunteers to complete basic repair projects in the homes of low-income, elderly, handicapped and single-parent families. Volunteers will also be assigned civic-focused projects (such as park clean-ups) in and around Orlando.

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