Larry Westfall chats with Putnam Rotarians. From left: James McKee, Westfall and Chet Marshall

October 16, 2007

The service to Nitro residents will be free of charge and offered through volunteers. You won't need to be destitute to receive assistance.

The idea was put forward through the Nitro Ministerial Association as a faith-based ministery which partners with churches, civic groups, and local governments to offer volunteer "compassionate services" to the local community.

"Our aim is to show a selfless concern through practical acts of service." Larry Westfall told Putnam Rotarians today.

Overhead costs are limited: The service does not have an office. It works out of a service van which has already been donated by Appalachian Power. The vehicle will be outfitted with a cellular phone.

What about insurance? It's paid by the Church of the Nazarene, West Virginia South District. What about maintenance? Donated by the city of Nitro. What about "service technicians"? Provided by local churches. What about storage? Provided by a local business. What about materials and supplies? To be provided by the persons receiving the service.

The mode of operation eliminates the need for office and staff: One volunteer signs up each day to

• drive the service vehicle,
• provide the services,
• manage the phone, and
• schedule future services.

As Westfall explained the operation, a predetermined volunteer each day would pick up the service van and phone. The schedule for the day will be in the vehicle, scheduled by previous volunteers.

The schedule will be listed by time slots. The address for the service needed and the type of service will be on the schedule.

During the day the service volunteer will schedule future tasks and man the phone. During off hours, the cellular service will record calls to be retrieved by the next volunteer.

At the end of each day, the van will be parked at a previously designated location to be picked up by the next volunteer.

"The new program will provide minor repairs to households of elderly persons and those with special needs," says Westfall. "This includes practical acts of service for minor repairs, advice for major repairs, and other special needs as may be determined.

"We recognize that the free assistance may be abused," he added, "but all people are important, and the services are to be offered to anyone and everyone."

What is the name of this new outreach ministry? "The name 'Kingdom Builders' is being used only to disclose the new vision," he replied. "The local community has been invited to participatein naming the service."