WILSON — Grab a good pair of work gloves and help a neighbor Sunday morning, as the new “Wilson Works” volunteer program sweeps through the village, sprucing up appearances of businesses and residences alike.

The program — just six weeks old —has been quietly aiding those who need a helping hand with weeding, chopping up wood or even clearing out dilapidated porches.

The idea was the brainchild of Bernie Leiker and Jamie O’Donnell, both Village of Wilson trustees, although they stress there are no political strings attached.

In fact, Leiker is a Democrat and O’Donnell is a Republican, and this new initiative grew out of their friendly conversations.

“We’re doing as much as we can for as many as we can,” said Leiker. “We had been talking about fixing up the village and we said, ‘Why don’t we help these people do it?’ ”

“We want to help the elderly, the veterans and the retirees — those who have a tough time helping themselves,” said O’Donnell. “And, we also want businesses to know that we’re right behind them [in cleaning up their sites].”

The volunteers ask for no money and beneficiaries supply materials, if needed, and help in any way they can. If they can pitch in on the next project, they do. One elderly resident whose health didn’t permit her to participate in the physical labor will supply coffee this time.

“People want to give back and we’ll find a way for them to help,” Leiker said.

Leiker, a retired teacher and administrator, and O’Donnell, a businessman who owns several local properties, meet at 8 a. m. each Monday at either a village residence or business, inviting volunteers to help do whatever needs to be done to improve the outward appearances of the property.

While they’ve attracted a handful of volunteers to date, they expect upward of 60 people when they meet at Young and Lake streets at 10 a. m. Sunday to form teams and distribute assignments along the main business corridors.

“This is part of what Wilson needs — community involvement,” said David Ross, new owner of the Hamilton and Clark Funeral Home at 270 Young St.

Leiker, O’Donnell and two other volunteers helped Ross remove weeds and rubble in the rear of the property earlier this week in an area that Leiker said was not only an eyesore, but had become dangerous to passers-by.

Ross purchased the property in July and it includes three adjacent buildings, the oldest dating back to the early 1900s (the business had started in a different location). The business dates back to 1869. He said he had hoped to save the crumbling rear addition, but that it is too far gone. He will soon tear it down to create much-needed parking spaces.

“It’s nice to see these guys helping people who might not have the resources to do the work themselves,”

Ross added. “You can’t get any more grassroots than this.”

Volunteer Steve Smith is a Wilson native and Pfeiffer Foods retiree who needed a boost to get rid of a sagging front porch when Leiker and O’Donnell extended their help.

“We had that porch ripped off and cleared out in one day — they did a nice job,” said Smith, who can now be counted on each week to pitch in on the next project.

The Rev. Steve Hay, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Wilson, said his church is initiating a new community mission program this Sunday. Some of his able-bodied parishioners will help with the Wilson Works projects every fifth Sunday, while others concentrate on other good works back at the church.

“This is a beautiful initiative to strengthen the heart of the community,” Hay said. “I’m very excited about the possibilities.

“We need to take the blinders off and see what needs to be done to reinstill hope and faith in our local people,” O’Donnell said.

Leiker added, “This is a small community with a big heart.”

Two other community projects planned for the spring include: the free loan of donated bicycles in the village’s main business area and in the harbor area, in order to better connect the two; and the creation of community gardens with the hope of establishing a local farmer’s market.

Volunteers wishing to help can contact Leiker at 238-5968.

niagaranews@buffnews.comnull