These pages are under construction.  When complete, they will be spun off as a new website: www.UncleFixit.org.
UNCLE FIXIT, INC.
"Helping with Household Repairs"
Who is Uncle Fixit?

He's like a member of the family who's handy with
tools.  He's happy to help you with minor household
repairs, because he simply loves to fix things, and he
spends many evenings and weekends trying to be of
service. Our screened volunteers come from all walks
of life, but they all have two things in common: a love
of tools and a desire to help others.  

Doesn't he charge for his services?

No indeed!  You'll just be responsible for parts and
materials.  However, he will ask you to "pass on the
good deed".  If his talents have been useful to you,
he'll request that you use your talents to help
somebody else in need.  It might be cooking a meal,
providing transportation to the doctor or supermarket,
sewing, knitting, babysitting, house-sitting or just
visiting someone who's ill, lonely or bereaved.  It's up
to you.

What kinds of things can he do?

Mostly small things.  Don't expect him to paint your
house, overhaul your car's engine or repair your
washing machine; those are jobs for professionals.  
But after a visit from Uncle Fixit, your home will operate
much smoother: the squeaks are gone from the doors;
the drawer no longer sticks; the pictures hang straight;
the lamps all work, and the faucet no longer drips.  He
can also assist with emergency preparedness (in
California, that means getting ready for the next
earthquake) and energy conservation (such as
replacing all of your lightbulbs with compact
fluorescents).

Does he do this for everyone?

Just for those who cannot do it for themselves,
because of age, infirmity or unfamiliarity with tools.  His
time is limited however, so please be sparing in your
requests.

Can I do anything for him?

He has been known to accept a cookie or a glass of
lemonade, but his greatest reward is knowing that his
good deed will be passed along.
Are You Handy With Tools?

Would you like to help those who are not as adept as
you are?  Uncle Fixit is a volunteer service whose
members act as repairmen for those in their
neighborhood who need help.  

A typical customer is the widow whose late husband
used to fix everything around the house.  She may be
very talented in other areas, but she is inexperienced
with repairs.  She'd love to have a family member,
say, a kindly Uncle who's handy with tools, to help out
occasionally.  That can be you, and it's a marvelous
feeling to be able to use your skills to help someone!

Once you have passed our screening and agreed to
our Code of Behavior, we'll provide an instructive
framework and a blog site full of fellow Uncles (and
Aunts) to swap suggestions and stories with.  We'll
give you guidance, but you will make the decisions.  
You'll do your own marketing, set your own hours and
carry out your own appointments.  You'll be a Charity
of One, but with a support system!

Some of the things you'll be called on for: putting up
towel racks, installing a peephole in the front door,
stopping faucet drips, replacing toilet flush valves,
oiling squeaky doors, freeing windows that won't
open, fixing lamps that don't work and repairing small
appliances of all kinds.  No one expects you to repair
the washing machine; that's a job for a professional.  
You are free to turn down any job you don't feel
comfortable with.

Your customer should reimburse your actual costs for
parts and materials.   Although you are donating your
time and services, they are not free.  Your customer
must agree to "pass on the good deed," to help
somebody else in need, if possible.

Besides the satisfaction of being a "White Knight,"
you'll receive insurance coverage, discounts on tools
and materials, and the ability to deduct from your
taxes a portion of your home, workshop, auto, phone,
computer and any other expense incurred in this
service.  Please check with your tax advisor for details.

If this kind of service sounds appealing to you, please
go to the VOLUNTEER page.
Will you lend your support to Uncle Fixit?

Uncle Fixit relies on donations to carry on its work.  Our volunteers will not accept money, but if you agree that this
"one-on-one" concept of charity is worth supporting, please go to the DONATIONS page.