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Betsey Tracey, a 75-year resident of Buzzards Bay who grew up in the same Taylor Road home pictured, stands while volunteers perform various work on her yard and home during the 2015 Big Fix
BOURNE – Twelve Bourne homes received a variety of repairs Saturday, and all of it happened in only about three hours.
During that time, yards were raked, fences repaired and, according to officials with Housing Assistance Corporation, the spirit of community service was in full swing.
The yearly service day called The Big Fix is organized by HAC and matches volunteers of various skill levels to local homeowners whose houses and yards need attention.
The event was orginally scheduled for October 3rd, but had to be postponed due to weather conditions.
Betsey Tracey of Taylor Road, perpendicular to Buzzards Bay’s Main Street, was one of those homeowners.
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Volunteer laborers and skilled workers rebuild Betsey Tracey’s back walkway in Buzzards Bay Saturday, as part of the 2015 Big Fix
She’s lived at the same address for 75 years, and received a new fence, back door step repairs, new carpeting and improvements to a walkway she said used to be uneven and dangerous.
“What they’re doing is a wonderful thing, really,” Tracey said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this.”
Tracey’s late husband was a World War II veteran and former railroad worker. She said they met just steps from her home, while he was at work on the rails running parallel with Main Street a few yards away.
“He’d love this – he’d be happy for me, because he’d know I would try to be out there doing it.”
Tracey said she wouldn’t ever consider moving; but that old bumpy back patio had caused her to fall a couple times. Now, she said, thanks to the work of over 20 volunteers it is sturdy, level and even features a wooden gate and railings.
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Military veteran Rick Zani volunteers during the 2015 Big Fix for the third straight year
While volunteers briskly drove wooden posts into Tracey’s yard, one of them took a moment to acknowledge one other part of the property that was in disarray: the American flag.
Rick Zani of Pocasset, who spent 36 years in the military, said he asked group leaders to replace the tattered symbol that hung nearby, and even offered to do it himself.
This was Zani’s third year participating in the Big Fix, and he said he definitely plans on giving his time again next year.
“It’s a nice day to get out and help neighbors, just helping people who really need our help,” Zani said.
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Wendy Rosario of Wareham was one of of 25 volunteers to clean up Betsie Tracey’s yard and home at the 2015 Big Fix. This year’s event included stops at 12 Bourne homes
HAC officials said next year’s Fix will likely focus on Brewster.
By ADAM FORZIATI, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
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