Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying, “The best investment is in the tools of one’s own trade.”
For Big Creek People in Action (BCPIA) in McDowell County, West Virginia, having reliable tools is essential to carrying out its home rehabilitation program for low-income elderly and disabled homeowners in need of repairs. Supported by Americans Helping Americans®, the program helps families with critical projects such as repairing roofs, porches, and floors, as well as building handicap ramps that allow residents to safely enter and exit their homes.
However, as Americans Helping Americans® staff have seen firsthand, many of the power tools used by BCPIA volunteers have endured years of heavy use and are beginning to wear down.
During a visit to BCPIA headquarters in Caretta in June 2025, Americans Helping Americans® fulfillment manager Dave Frank observed that many of the tools relied upon for the home rehabilitation program “have seen better days,” after years of dedicated service helping families in need.
“A lot of our tools are over five years old,” explained BCPIA executive director Dyanne Spriggs, noting that in the past the organization has often relied on purchasing used tools, including collections sold by local families.
With the home rehabilitation program running at full speed through late August, now is the time to raise the funding needed to equip volunteers with dependable new tools that can be used not only this summer, but for many summers to come.
Our goal is to raise $2,500 from generous supporters to help BCPIA volunteer coordinator Scottie Perez purchase items from a “wish list” of urgently needed tools that we hope to fulfill by mid-June.
The list includes four DeWalt XR 20-volt cordless impact wrenches (with batteries and chargers included) at a cost of $270 each, two DeWalt circular saws with electric brakes, two DeWalt XR reciprocating saws, as well as supplies such as paint brushes, safety goggles, flathead and Phillips-head screwdriver sets, framing hammers, nails, ladders, and more.
In addition, we hope to raise $346.20 to provide 20 Toy Time Kids’ Garden Tool Sets for the children participating in BCPIA’s summer camp program. At a cost of $17.31 each, these kits help encourage gardening, healthy eating habits, and an appreciation for growing fresh vegetables from an early age.
Since early March, volunteer groups from Emory & Henry University, Centre College, and Hope Force Work Group have generously given their time and talents to help homeowners in need—many of whom begin the week as strangers and end it as cherished friends.
In June, Scottie will oversee projects involving volunteers from Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., Christian Adventurers from North Carolina, and the Unitarian Universalists traveling to McDowell County. We hope to equip these volunteers with the tools they need in time to support their compassionate work serving others.
As Scottie explains:
“Some of our tools are a little older and getting weaker on battery charges.
“On different occasions, groups have commented, ‘Your tools could use updating and more added to allow more students to perform tasks on the same project.’
“For instance,” Scottie reported, “when building ramps, we only have two or three drills. They mentioned that having additional drills would allow more students to work at the same time and help complete projects more efficiently.”
Dyanne, Scottie, and the volunteers who give so much of themselves to help others need these tools to continue making homes safer and more comfortable for low-income families this summer.
Please help us support them.
