Hearts and Hammers

For seniors who have health issues or live on a fixed income, keeping up with home maintenance can be a challenge. Thanks to the Hearts & Hammers nonprofit organization and sponsors like Marvin Home Center, an Ace Hardware Store, homeowners can find the help they need to restore their homes and enjoy being there.

Warroad, Minnesota, is a small town of just 1,830 people located just 6 miles from the Canadian border. The small-town spirit helps foster a sense of togetherness, encouraging folks to help each other, especially those older residents who need assistance the most.

Hearts & Hammers was founded to provide exterior home restoration for people who are not able to do it for themselves.

"They might not have the skills to do it themselves, or the funds to hire somebody to do it," said Tom Goldsmith, Mayor of Warroad Community Development Board Member. "They're looking to feel better about their residence. And this gives them the opportunity to do that with the support of volunteers and the companies that provide materials for the project."

Local businesses like Marvin Ace Hardware donate home restoration supplies, and many of the employees at Ace also volunteer.

"Helping people to stay in their homes and enjoy being there… it's just what we should all do," said Kim Lawler, Manager of Giving and Social Impact at Marvin.

Lois and Edwin are two Warroad residents who received help from Hearts & Hammers. After spending time living in the local senior living center, their home needed some restoration, including new windows, siding replacement, and fresh paint.

"It's hard to believe that you can gather up a bunch of people that are so friendly and so willing to come and work for you… not even knowing us," said Edwin. "It was wonderful."

"There's no way that we can thank them enough. It's just so nice that they would do that," said Lois. "And it makes you want to volunteer for whatever you can do, too."