It has proven itself true—that one alone is on a walk, but two together are going somewhere—and our nonprofit, Damians Ladder, has shown this to be a perfect example of “partnering,” going somewhere together.
As a small child, my aunt and uncle would take me along with them on Saturday evenings to the Moose Lodge in Aberdeen, Wash., where they would dance the evening away to the music of an accordion, a sax and a piano.
I would sleep on two chairs pushed together with a coat thrown over me, only to waken for donuts and coffee at half-time. This was my only encounter with the Moose Lodge, oh so many years ago, until recently.
The Moose, Lodge 545, makes its home in Scotts Valley, with its 500-plus membership contributing to the needs of children, seniors and the needs of the community. Over the years this incredibly busy lodge has supported local parks, Scotts Valley senior center, Boys and Girls Club, Meals on Wheels, Valley Churches United and the Stuff the Boot Fundraiser. In 2020, Moose Lodge 545 was named Organization of the Year by the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce.
For years, the members of Lodge 545 have raised funds for one of the “oldest” nonprofits in the valley, Valley Churches United’s Food Pantry, whose volunteers for years have served food and other needs of the local communities in the San Lorenzo and Scotts valleys and as far away as the Bonny Doon community.
Last November, the Moose Lodge partnered with one of the “newest” nonprofits in the valleys, Damians Ladder, to raise money for our handyman program, shouldering the setup, food and use of their lodge for that evening’s event. Such an overwhelming event, with every foot of space taken by generous donors all eager to support Damians Ladder, and we at Damians Ladder could not have asked for more. Monies raised that evening are working at this very moment making repairs to the homes of low-income seniors and people with disabilities.
Today, Damians Ladder, a one-year-old 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide repairs at “no cost” to the homes of low-income seniors and people with disabilities by an all-volunteer group of handymen, is making those repairs—daily. Damians Ladder turns no senior away. If you can afford to pay for a service, all that is asked is to make a monetary donation of your choice to Damians Ladder.
Jim Norkoli, past president of the Moose Lodge, has joined the all-volunteer group of Damians Ladder handymen, fixing dripping faucets, installing wheelchair ramps, repairing broken stairs and even lending a shoulder to cry on for our worried seniors, worried about the problems of having no money for keeping themselves safe and comfortable in their own homes.
Valley Churches United and me, along with its Executive Director Lynn Robinson, have been friends for more than a decade. I began this relationship with Valley Churches in 2014, filling bag after bag with food for their low-income clients. I then sat at a desk where I listened to the needs of their clients, needs other than food—a bus pass to interview for a job, money to pay for gas for their car once they found a new job, money for wood for heating their home and perhaps a month’s worth of rent money.
Later I took on the job of fundraising. I wore so many hats during those years, all the while Lynn and I became good friends. I harbor such a love for Valley Churches and its volunteers who many have become personal friends today. How fortunate I am!
During those years of working with Valley Churches, an idea began to develop, and today that idea has become a reality. I recognized those low-income seniors and others with disabilities needed more help along with the food and perks they were receiving. Those seniors, because of little or no money, were living in homes with leaky faucets, running and even cracked toilets, which allowed mold to occur. Stairs, windows and doorframes, broken, allowing wind and rain inside, and with no access to the outside world, wheelchair ramps needed to be built.
I have looked at the hands of so many of these dear seniors; hands that years of hard labor have left them frail and bent from arthritis. Hands that have worked for years on our city’s roads, in our vegetable fields, building our buildings, teaching in our schools and serving us in restaurants. Seniors who raised their families on low-paying jobs, and now, needing our support.
Damians Ladder was named in honor of a young man, Damian Lanctot here in Ben Lomond, along with his wife, Melissa, who were the quintessential volunteers. Always ready to help someone in need without accepting money, Damian would appear, carrying his little five-foot ladder with him—that is how I met Damian on a beautiful Sunday morning two years ago. On another beautiful afternoon, three weeks later while coming home from work, Damian was struck on his motorcycle and died at the scene.
Today, Damians Ladder is not walking alone on a “walk,” Damians Ladder, along with Valley Churches United and Moose Lodge 545, are “going somewhere,” TOGETHER.
That “somewhere” is in the homes of low-income seniors and those needing our help. These seniors may be a member of your family, a friend or a neighbor.
Join Damians Ladder as a handyman or let us know your talents and walk along with us. We will all be going somewhere together! You will be happy you did!
Colly Gruczelak, President of Damians Ladder, can be reached at at***********@da***********.org.
