Project "Safe" will be a yearlong project where volunteers will make safety modifications to the homes of low-income seniors and the handicapped. Every day law enforcement agencies throughout Seminole County are notified about the homes of seniors or the handicapped who need one or more safety issues addressed. Perhaps a wheelchair ramp is needed, or outside security lights. It could be that the upkeep and appearance of the home has deteriorated to the point immediate remedies must be initiated. As we know, nothing screams "victim" more to the not-so-casual observer than a home whose outside appearance lets the world know the owner is physically unable to maintain its upkeep. Fortunately, the community can make a difference.

With financial assistance provided through the Seminole Community Development Block Grant money, Project "Safe" is collaboration between SCVP, Inc., Seminole County Sheriff's Department and the seven municipal police departments in Seminole County. Volunteers are needed to assess homes and recommend safety and security changes. Volunteers will also be needed to make the modifications to these homes. Shrubbery that blocks windows and prohibits law enforcement from observing the outside of the home will be removed. Small house numbers will be replaced with large, reflective easy to view numbers. Security lights, deadbolts and peepholes may be installed. The interiors of the homes will be evaluated to see if there is a need for bathtub safety strips, night- lights, window locks, timers or accessibility modifications.

This will truly be a family affair when we kick off this project during the Points of Light Foundation's first annual "Family Matters Day" on November 20, 1999. This national family volunteer day is designed to connect and strengthen families and connect entire communities through volunteerism. SPRINT telephone has joined with us as a corporate sponsor for this day and will be bringing their local telephone "family" out to help. Get your whole family together, or create a local family if yours is out of the area and join us on November 20th.

Won't you let us adopt you into the family of volunteers who will be working together to make many lives safer? Call us at 323-4440 today (or use this online form) to sign up for Project "Safe".