LOPCO Supports Habitat for Humanity of Providence, Plain Street Home Rehab

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – Every family deserves a decent and affordable home. This is the credo of Habitat for Humanity and an important cause for Tom Lopatosky, Owner of LOPCO Contracting.

Habitat for Humanity of Providence builds or rehabs decent and affordable houses for low-income families. According to Herman deKoe, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Providence, the organization usually constructs three- or four- bedroom houses for families with children.

“Lately, we’ve been able to purchase foreclosed houses and rehab those at lower cost than building new,” said deKoe. “An additional benefit is that another foreclosed, boarded-up house is made available to a family in need of housing, instead of blighting the neighborhood.”

LOPCO volunteered to provide powerwashing and painting services for a single-family rehab on Plain Street. The future home owner is a single woman, 43 years old, who works as a bus monitor for the Providence School Department. She has adult children, who live independently.

Crew member William Horsely, a ten-year LOPCO employee, expressed pride in working on projects of this nature.

“I treat every home as if it was my own,” said Horsely. “It was rewarding to see the new Plain Street homeowner so pleased when we finished. She was amazed at the positive difference in how the house looked, and how quickly we were able to complete the project.”

“We are grateful to Tom Lopatosky of LOPCO Contracting for his generous support,” said deKoe. “Most of the work we do is done by volunteers. However, sometimes we need the professionals and this was one of those cases. Exterior painting of an existing house, with the family ready to move in, needs the expediency unskilled volunteers cannot provide. “

According to deKoe, the rehab normally would have taken weeks and weeks to complete.

“Tom’s crew powerwashed and painted this house in a couple of days,” said deKoe. “Not only does LOPCO do the work, Tom managed as well to get the paint donated by his paint supplier. I always keep Tom’s phone number handy.”

Habitat Providence has been in existence since 1987 and has built or rehabbed over 80 houses. Seven new houses are currently under construction and three rehabs are in progress. Habitat works mainly in South Providence, however there are projects in Olneyville, the West end and in Northern Providence.

For more information about Habitat, to apply for a house, or to support the organization as an individual volunteer, form a work team or make a donation, visit www.habitatprov.org.

About LOPCO Contracting

Known as the "Professional, Personable, Particular Painters," LOPCO Contracting specializes in exterior painting, interior painting, and carpentry. LOPCO Contracting also has special expertise in working with lead paint stabilization and historical homes. Led by Tom Lopatosky, Jr., the company is deeply rooted in Southern New England, particularly in Rhode Island, and takes great pride in the local community.

LOPCO Contracting is a member of the Painting and Decorating Contractors Association of America, The Rhode Island Builders Association, The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, The Better Business Bureau of Rhode Island, Business Network International (BNI), and the Rhode Island Hospitality Association.

For more information, visit www.LopcoContracting.com or call 866.86.LOPCO (56726).