‘From the heart’

By Rhonda Simmons

Published: October 8, 2008

Teresa Tyler’s home received a much-needed makeover thanks to a dozen employees from the Tyco Electronics/Rochester Corp, a fiber-optic telecommunications company.

The men removed a dilapidated porch, patched the rotting roof and installed new aluminum siding on the narrow, vintage trailer along Batna Road in Culpeper County on Wednesday.

The guys even fixed her broken hot-water heater.

The work is part of the annual Piedmont United Way’s Day of Caring where local companies and individuals contribute their time, materials and skills to those in need.

“We just enjoy helping people out,” said department manager Dave Fisher, who has pitched in to help for the past 11 years. “I look forward to giving back every year.”

Local humanitarian Gladys Williams hosted Wednesday’s construction project, organizing breakfast and lunch for the workers.

“Everything they do, they do from the heart,” Williams said, standing in Tyler’s front yard.

When Williams isn’t supervising at a construction site, she’s greeting senior citizens at the Culpeper Nutrition Site, a free lunch program along U.S. Avenue operated by the Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services Board.

To qualify, a person must be a senior citizen identified as in a low-income household.

“There has to be a need,” Williams explained.

Tyler was extremely excited about her home being selected for the renovation.

Dave Harris, Tyco’s general manager at the Culpeper branch, stopped by during lunch to check on the progress of the project.

“It’s just a very small way of giving back to the community,” Harris said. “We’re part of a national company that’s trying to make money right now, but it’s nice to come and do something for the locals.”

Despite the slumping economy, Harris said his company would continue to participate in this annual charitable event.

“Whatever happens to the economy can affect us at a high level, but it won’t impact this,” he said. “We need to give back no matter what. It’s important.”

Williams decorated a makeshift picnic table — a metal sawhorse with a piece of plywood on it — with a baby blue tablecloth.

For lunch, the crew ate Kentucky Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, coleslaw, donuts, and chips.

Williams said McDonald’s donated the breakfast.

“I’m so thankful for the nice people in the Culpeper community who help us out whenever we call on them,” she said. “We are so blessed here.”

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .