Patterson agreed, but she told him the only running water was in her bathtub. When Hines walked inside, he found a kitchen with leaky pipes in warped cabinets and rotting floors. There was no sink in the bathroom, and the toilet barely functioned. Hines, of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, was a lifelong builder, and quickly realized his work wasn’t finished.
So the 81-year-old man and a group of volunteers known as Caring Hands returned to Patterson’s home. Over several days, they installed a kitchen floor, cabinets and sink, a bathroom vanity and toilet – all for free. “I was truly blessed,” Patterson said. “I can’t thank them enough.”
The Virginia Pilot tells MHProNews that led by Hines, Caring Hands began 15 years ago with the “old fellows” from Duck United Methodist Church when they arranged a trip to Redbird, Kentucky, to install new windows and doors on coal miners’ drafty homes. The group returned annually for five years to perform repairs. Later, the team traveled to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina for four years to repair flooded homes. In between, Caring Hands has remodeled and added on to dozens of houses – often for the working poor.
“We’ve done so many jobs, it’s hard to remember them all,” said Hines, who also is a woodworker. “This is what we do.”
In December, Hines was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of North Carolina’s most prestigious honors. Michael Jordan, Billy Graham and Richard Petty are past recipients.
Hines waves it off. He agreed to publicity and the award only after others encouraged him.
“You name it, and they’ve done it,” said Jenniffer Albanese, executive director of Interfaith Community Outreach. “He doesn’t take credit for anything.”
The nonprofit does charity work in Dare and Currituck Counties and provides money to Caring Hands. Home Depot donates materials and appliances. Referrals often come from the Department of Social Services. Hines and the group have helped hundreds over the years, said his son, Steve. ##
(Photo Credit: The Virginia Pilot)
Article submitted by Sandra Lane to – Daily Business News – MHProNews.
