Blitz underway but more help needed

Jessica Rogers paints a side wall over the porch of a house owned by Jimmie Durossette on the 10 block of North Barbee Street as part of the Good Neighbor Blitz Thursday evening. Rogers was one of four volunteers working on the house at the time. The Good Neighbor Blitz is being conducted by the Good Neighbor Action Team through Tuesday. More volunteers are needed and can register at the Chamber of Commerce parking lot, 231 E. Wall, at 7 a.m. on each remaining day of the blitz. (Tribune photo/Scott Nuzum)

Co-convener Julie Righter (who also is the publisher of The Fort Scott Tribune) said in a statement late Thursday that it is not too late to volunteer. Those who are already volunteers and anyone who wishes to join the effort can register at 7 a.m. each of the remaining days of the blitz, which runs through Tuesday, at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce parking lot, 231 E. Wall.

Many more volunteers are needed as there are a great number of projects that the GNATs are looking to complete.

The Good Neighbor Blitz is a project of the Good Neighbor Action Team (GNAT), which has identified homes in Fort Scott that need repair or improvements but whose owners are unable to perform the work.

One such homeowner is Jimmie Durossette, who was grateful for the painting GNAT volunteers were doing on the outside of his house in the 10 block of North Barbee St.

"It's a great help," Durossette, who walks with the use of a cane, said. "It feels real good. I couldn't ask for it to be done better. This is stuff I couldn't do anymore."

Although he wasn't certain, Durossette said he believes the GNATs will return on Saturday to perform work on the inside of the house.

Predictions of excessive heat haven't put a damper on the blitz. Volunteers are reminded to bring plenty of water when they arrive at a project site.

At the registration, each volunteer will need to complete a medical release form and code of conduct worksheet prior to registering. Upon registration, each volunteer will receive a bracelet, which he/she must wear while on the job site. In addition, each volunteer will receive a t-shirt. Once registered, volunteers will be dispatched to the home on which they are working.

In addition, volunteers are reminded to bring their own lunch, wear appropriate clothing including work boots or tennis shoes -- no open-toed shoes -- and remember that safety will be a priority.

Anyone wishing to donate water for the effort can bring bottles of water to the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce for distribution to volunteers.

For those who doubt that their effort could make a difference, Durossette's gratitude might be of influence.

"This place will look like a whole new house when they're done," he said. "They're doing a great job."