JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A local man who retired from his career in construction is now using his time and talent to help our local seniors with much-needed home repairs.
Outside of Rosa Lee Echol’s 50-year-old home on Jacksonville’s westside, you’ll often find retired construction worker Barry Martin, fixing and building away.
“I call him all the time,” Echol’s said. “Mr. Barry’s a good person,” she added.
His latest project: “We built a handicap ramp for Miss Rosa,” Martin pointed out. “We gotta put the grip on the bottom and paint it and we’re finished.”
There were some mishaps along the way. “I wound up cutting my finger right there and got 14 stitches,” Martin explained as he pointed to the last piece he installed.
But he powered through.
“Yes it’s worth it ma’am,” he asserted. “There’s nothing that’s going to keep me from doing this,”
And he does it all for free as part of his nonprofit, Hammers and Hearts.
“I was in construction for 40 years, I had to get up and go to work. I’m ready to go to work now. I’m ready to get out,” he shared. “I’m enjoying what I’m doing.”
He says his reward is knowing our more senior neighbors like Echols can enjoy their home in return.
“I feel good about it, I walk I parked my car there, I walked up the - I don’t use the steps no more,” Echols.
That’s because he could use sponsors, which he says he would feature on his trailer in return and volunteers.
“The calls are coming in faster,” Martin noticed.
“Anybody can help us, whether it’s a half a day, a day, a couple of days a week, a couple of days a month, anything that anybody can help us with then this can double our load,” Martin emphasized.
But in the meantime, he wants everyone to know, he won’t turn anyone in need away.
“If you’re a senior citizen, disabled, and you can’t do something, call us, we’ll get this job done,” he stressed.
If you are interested in reaching out to Barry Martin, to either request his help or to offer yours, you call him at 904-563-3179.
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