A project called “Warm Hearts, Willing Hands” is educating and mobilizing senior citizens in communities throughout Martin County, and is reaching out to help more.

Martin Volunteers, a program of United Way of Martin County, wrote and received a grant to conduct the project, which is designed to help senior citizens and people with special needs be prepared for disaster.

The project is being coordinated by Walter Sawyer, a member of AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), which is funding the project. Mr. Sawyer has more than 15 years of community service and disaster training from activities in Martin and St. Lucie counties.

The grant calls for the VISTA member to mobilize volunteers and resources to help people in six low- and moderate-income 55+ communities.

So far, five communities have signed up and are being helped: Pine Lakes Village, Natalie Estates, Lakeside, Heritage Ridge South and Blue Heron.

Mr. Sawyer is looking for one more community to take advantage of the service. “These communities are providing for the safety of residents by taking part,” said Mr. Sawyer, who can be reached at (772) 220-4472 or wsawyer@martinvolunteers.org.

Through the Warm Hearts, Willing Hands project, Mr. Sawyer has conducted presentations about disaster planning and evacuation and has provided disaster-related materials from a variety of sources. He has conducted resident surveys at each of the five communities in order to find out about people who need special services during a time of disaster.

“It is important that people are prepared for all types of disasters, not just hurricanes,” Mr. Sawyer said. “There have been about five tornadoes in Florida so far this year, and all communities hit suffered extensive damage. Warm Hearts, Willing Hands helps people be prepared.”

The project also provides an indirect service – training volunteers in each community so that neighbors can help neighbors.

Leaders of 55+ communities that have low- to moderate-income residents can contact Mr. Sawyer at Martin Volunteers at (772) 220-4472 or wsawyer@martinvolunteers.org.

More information about Martin Volunteers can be found at www.martinvolunteers.org. More information about AmeriCorps Vista can be found at www.americorps.gov.