When Keith Cotton, director of outreach with Servants Inc., looks for volunteers, carpentry, HVAC, and plumbing skills are not necessarily a requirement. "Physical (home) repairs are important, but we also put an emphasis on building relationships," said Cotton of Servants Inc., an organization that performs home repairs and construction for those in need.

"I think one of the things a lot of our clients are facing, in addition to the physical hardship of needing home repairs, is loneliness," Cotton pointed out, adding that many clients are widowed people or single mothers. "(They are) people who need support in general," said Cotton. "For that reason, the organization's volunteer application asks candidates to rate their skill levels, but Cotton commented that this is not meant to exclude anyone. "It just gives us a better idea where we can plug people in, so they can feel useful," he explained. The application helps Servants Inc. put teams together and pair willing learners with those who have the ability to teach. There's a need for skilled workers as well. "We have some intense projects that involve plumbing and framing," Cotton said.

Servants Inc., which now has a full-time project manager in Lancaster County, is mostly active in the ELANCO area as well as Columbia and Marietta. During the week, Thursday is the designated volunteer workday, but Saturdays are scheduled to accommodate working volunteers and students. Right now, volunteers are needed as the organization's client list is growing. "It's a delicate balance," said Cotton of expanding the client and volunteer lists at the same time.

Since opening a Lancaster County branch a few years ago, the nonprofit has formed a partnership with CrossNet Ministries in New Holland. "(CrossNet) does intake applications ... for the services we provide," said Cotton.

Marilyn Guzmán, social services program manager with CrossNet, reported that one family feared losing its home due the building's condition. "We prayed, and God sent us a miracle in the form of men and women who work with and volunteer with Servants," family members told Guzmán, noting that the volunteers were kind and understanding. "Just knowing we now have a safe home helps us sleep better at night, they told her.

Servants Inc. has also partnered with ELANCO Connect, which includes several greater Bowmansville area churches. Servants Inc. is hoping to provide a local half-week work camp experience during the summer months. The organization has also become involved in the Pequea Valley School District First Choice Discovery Program, a work-based program offering career exploration and mentoring to every sophomore, to introduce students to developing home repair skills.

The organization, which has branches in York and Adams counties, completed more than 110 projects and had more than 10,000 volunteer hours total in 2022. Servants Inc. also sends recovery teams to areas of the U.S. hit by disasters as well as organizing international missions teams. Those who wish to volunteer may visit http://www.servants.org and click on the "Volunteer" tab or call 717-378-0336.