When Matthew Nalywaiko started Serve A Little, he did so with one simple concept in mind: to have a lot of people do a little to make a big difference. In just a few years, Serve A Little has helped dozens of single mothers and military wives move forward with their lives by helping them tackle their growing to-do lists.
“Our main focus is in assisting single mothers and helping them continue to move forward,” Nalywaiko says. “We target the mom who’s working, going to school, moving her life forward.”
And it’s not just a one-time fix.
“It’s a relationship and a comfort for them knowing that there is someone that they can rely on if they don’t have family around,” he says.
The organization has a network of volunteer handymen and mechanics to provide free to low-cost automotive repair and home maintenance for mothers who need it most. Kathy Hellfeier is a single mother of two boys and has called upon Serve A Little to help her with various tasks around the house, including installing a handrail to make the stairs safer for her parents.
“It feels good to know that there are people out there who care,” Hellfeier says. “And people who help others.”
Volunteer Bill Paterson donates his time fixing cars.
“My mom and my wife were single moms, and I know firsthand the challenges that they have raising kids on their own,” Paterson said.
And for moms like Hellfeier, these fixes go a long way in improving her quality of life.
“I would have to try to go into more debt to be able to do these things, or they wouldn’t get done,” she says of the repairs.
“It’s been a struggle, but now I’m feeling like I’m doing OK,” Hellfeier says. “I’ve got my feet on the ground again.”
