The Impact Project finished their 251st project with four projects at the Benjamins' home in South New Berlin. Front Row: US Air Force Veteran Bill Haines, US Marine Veteran Greg Cobb, homeowners Douglas and Mary Benjamin, SFCU Specialized Assistant Rachelle Harrington, SFCU President CEO Jim Reynolds and Curtis Lumber Branch Assistant Manager Andrew Shaffer. Back Row: Impact Project Director Jim Willard, Rose Family Construction Owner Ryan Rose, Volunteer Ariana Barnett, and Rose Family Construction Owner Reid Rose. (Photo by Kelli Miller)

SOUTH NEW BERLIN — The Impact Project is a Christian based not-profit organization dedicated to serving Chenango County and surrounding communities by providing home renovation assistance, financing, and construction.

Although the program has been saving many Chenango County homes with roof repair, bathroom remodels,  handicap accessible ramps, fixing or replacing stairs, furnace repair,  septic repair and replacement of hot water heaters, US Air Force Veteran Douglas Benjamin and his wife Mary had never heard of the Impact Project.

Mary said she had no idea of such a program and was beside herself when a stranger knocked on their door one day to tell them about it.

“It was a few months ago, and the gentleman stopped by to let us know about the Impact Project. His name is T.R. Frank and he had noticed the blue tarps over the roof,” said Mary. “He told us about the program and how it helps homeowners with roof repair.”

“As he was explaining the project, I was only thinking about the roof, not thinking about our other needs of a hot water heater, or handicap ramp,” she said.

Mary said the program was just what they needed because their roof was leaking and had been for many years. It had come to the point where they were talking about moving out because they couldn’t afford a new roof.