Early in the new year, a group of men from Paso Robles Trinity Lutheran Church contacted the Family Care Network’s Volunteer Coordinator to see what practical skills they could offer that would benefit the children and families the agency serves. The group of thirty-three men, ranging in age from 18 to 80, called themselves “the Armory,” and they were all equipped with various professional skills, including carpentry, plumbing, roofing, painting, electrical, computer and video. It was their intent to use these skills to improve the lives of others.

Following their initial contact with the agency, the group decided to adopt the Family Care Network and has put numerous hours of labor into helping the agency. To date, The Armory has supported the agency’s Transitional Housing Services by building a large fence, replacing a water heater, laying a tile floor, repairing a ceiling and roof, and repairing a stairway railing. They have also helped agency foster families by painting kitchen cupboards, repairing computers and building a new fence for a yard where a busy foster child plays. Why did the group choose the Family Care Network? Larry Seifert, the group’s liaison states that, “We have partnered with the Family Care Network due to the good work they do in the area, and their need. There’s a lot we can do to help [the Family Care Network]; we have a lot of skills in our group and we have a good time together.”

The philosophy of the Armory is to demonstrate their faith by serving others without asking for anything in return. Once a month they get together and have “Man Time,” which includes the group enjoying food, drinks and good fellowship together. The group also enjoys the opportunity to hold each other accountable to be better husbands and fathers— basically, to be better men. It is the men’s hope that the group will grow to include men from all over the Central Coast, welcoming any man who wants to help serve others.

There is no way to put a measurable value on how much the Armory has helped the Family Care Network in the past year. The group has lifted spirits through their support, has saved the agency countless dollars and has partnered with staff to improve the lives of others in both practical and emotional ways. Recently, when the volunteer coordinator called to give her thanks to the Amory, one of the group’s leaders replied, “I have to say that with all that I do, the help I provide to others is the most rewarding.”

Thank you, men of the Armory, for serving others so selflessly.

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*names and photos of clients are ficticious to protect their identity