SJHP Volunteers and Sponsors Made a Difference for the Elderly, Disabled and Veterans

ST. AUGUSTINE – The St. Johns Housing Partnership’s (SJHP) county-wide initiative on “Make a Difference Day,” was held on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Make a Difference Day mobilized 96 volunteers over St. Johns County to help paint, clean and repair homes for veterans, the elderly and disabled including exterior house painting, repairs, landscaping, yard clean up and building wheelchair ramps.

We had Team Depot volunteer groups from The Home Depot Store 6334, Trinity Ramp Squad, St. Augustine Beach Police Department, Creekside High School National Honor Society, Flagler College Student Government Association, St. Augustine Sunrise Rotary, St. Francis in the Field Church, Sherwin-Williams, and Compassion Church. Additionally, there were individual volunteers.

Make a Difference Day was made possible through the generosity and support of several organizations, including St. Johns Housing Partnership, St., United Way of St. Johns and Putnam Counties, Florida Department of Commerce Weatherization Program, St. Johns County SHIP, The Home Depot Foundation, PNC Bank, Regions Bank, Providence Homes, Easy SociAbility, RockIT, Brown & Brown Insurance, CDR Construction Debris Removal, Ashlar Lodge No. 98, Behr Paint, White’s Lumber, J&S Premier Lawn Care, Gibson Heating & Air Conditioning, FLA Painting, Jack Wright’s Tree Service, Mr. Ts, Alta Land & Contract, David Vandroff, Mike Whyard, Publix, Tess Guidi, and Don Baker Construction, along with Trinity Episcopal St. Augustine’s Ramp Squad and Skinny Lizard.
While Make a Difference Day is a wonderful opportunity to engage in community service, the spirit of making a difference can extend far beyond this one day. Here are some ways to incorporate kindness into your everyday life:

Volunteer Regularly: Commit to a regular volunteer schedule with SJHP , whether it’s once a week or once a month. Spending a few hours of your time supporting a local cause can make a significant impact.

Be an Advocate: Use your voice to support causes you believe in. Attend town hall meetings, write to your representatives, vote in upcoming elections, or participate in community discussions.

Mentor Others: Share your skills and knowledge with others. Consider becoming a mentor for youth or peers in your field.

Practice Kindness: Make a conscious effort to perform random acts of kindness daily, whether it’s helping a neighbor or offering a compliment to a stranger.

Engage with Your Community: Attend local events, support local businesses, and foster connections with those around you.