Ledyard Rotary Club Freshens Up Tired Bathrooms

The has been writing a lot of checks lately to scholars heading off to college but their handy work goes beyond the checkbook. Members from the group recently took hammer to nail and paint to wall and renovated nine bathrooms in the Phoenix House in New London, which provides transitional housing for women who are survivors of domestic violence.

Two work crews headed by Sam Kilpatrick and Doug Meyer worked alternating Saturdays to finish the job, which entailed replacing vanities, caulking, painting and installing new toilets.

Emma Palzere-Rae is the director of development at the Women's Center of Southeastern Connecticut, which operates the Phoenix House, and said the building is 20 years old and this was the first time it has had any work done.

“I always say, they did a really good job when they built this because everything is 20 years old,” she said. “But it’s getting to the point where things need to be done.”

The Ledyard Rotary Club raised 2,500 to receive a matching grant from the district Rotary Club and they may have some of the $5,000 left over for more projects.

“They were so thrifty with the money,” said Palzere-Rae. “We’re still brainstorming about more work that can be done.”

Palzere-Rae said replacing some of the original tiles in the bathrooms would be a good next project if possible.

Rotarians may have been thrifty but their gift made a world of difference, according to Program Coordinator Linda Hall.

"The new bathrooms are amazing!  I used to feel badly when a family would move in and the bathroom was dingy, with old fixtures," she said. "Next week, when I show a new family their new home, I will be excited to show the bathroom."

Hall said the bathroom renovations "are huge in that they give residents such a better feeling about where they live."

"It was one of the most rewarding projects I've been involved in," said Meyer who headed one of the work crews. "To be out in the community emulating the ideals of rotary with service to the community."