The Challenge

Mr. and Mrs. Pratt, a disabled couple, had a leaky bathtub in their mobile home that rotted their floor. They could not afford to replace the tub or repair the floor, and there seemed to be no organization or resources to assist them.

The Solution

A joint effort by United Way, Love in the Name of Christ (Love INC) of Benton County, Habitat for Humanity and a private business got the Pratts the new bathtub, plumbing, and floor that they needed. The United Way called Love INC of Benton County to see if they could find volunteers to do the work. Love INC could and did but still needed a bathtub, as well as the wood to replace the Pratts'. The United Way had limited funds to purchase these materials so contacted Habitat for Humanity's construction supply store, which had a new bathtub that they provided to us at half price. Benson's Flooring, a local business, stepped up and donated the new linoleum that was also needed. Finally, Love INC's volunteers could get to work, and willing volunteers from three different churches came together to do the Pratts' plumbing, flooring, carpentry.

The Outcome

Mr. and Mrs. Pratt can stay in their home and know that the floor is not continuing to rot. They don't have to use money that they need for their medications to repair their bathroom. It's a wonderful thing when several different organizations and agencies can work together to benefit people with needs.

The Organization

Love INC is a non-profit that organizes volunteers in local Christian congregations. Love INC of Benton County is one of 125 affiliates across the country. It serves anyone in our community with needs that cannot be met through existing means. It has about 620 enrolled volunteers from 35 different churches. Love INC does not do money, but it does do people help - anything from giving rides, to bringing hot meals, to helping with yard work, giving emergency child care, helping to move - whatever people can and are willing to do.
more about the organization

www.yourloveinc.org