NCCC volunteers weatherize Xavier Triangle home

October 14 - Americorps NCCC volunteers with team Badger 4 have spent the past few weeks making energy efficiency improvements to the home of Ms. Eola Magee, a retiree in the Xavier triangle neighborhood. The nine volunteers based out of Perrypoint, MD installed radiant barrier in her attic, sealed air leaks around doors, windows and appliances, wrapped a hot water heater and performed other weatherization work on Ms. Magee's home.

“I love it – I thought it was going to be the extreme makeover,” beamed Ms. Magee as the work neared completion.

This work was made possible by a relationship between Xavier University Lecturer Dan Webre, the Alliance for Affordable Energy and Americorps. Dr. Webre met Ms. Magee at her neighborhood garden, blocks from Xavier University, and recommended her to the weatherization services of the Alliance. Meanwhile, Alliance staff performed an energy rating on Ms. Magee's home, trained Americorps NCCC volunteers to perform weatherization work, and assigned our latest NCCC crew to perform weatherization work. Dr. Webre paid for the cost of materials with grants through Xavier University, making the energy efficiency work free for Ms. Magee.

If there is anyone who needs weatherization assistance, it is Ms. Magee. After her home suffered damage from Hurricane Katrina, she was defrauded by building contractors. Fortunately, she was assisted by volunteers from the Lutheran Church, who fixed some of the bad work of the contractors. Ms. Magee supports herself and her mother on her retirement, and somehow has managed to pay last month's Entergy bill of $574 for her house.

Despite her difficulties she still finds time to help others in her community, particularly Xavier students, who she regularly feeds and provides other assistance to. “You keep meeting nice people,” muses Ms. Magee.

A summary of the work performed on Ms. Magee's home so far:

• 45 outlets caulked and insulated
• 1 door sweep and 1 door kit installed
• 18 fixtures and plumbing holes plugged with spray foam
• 3 doors weatherstripped
• 1 Radiant Barrier installed across a two-unit shotgun home
• 1 hot water heater insulated blanket installed

Learn about volunteer opportunties at the Alliance