Tuesday, March 5, 2013 9:37 am

Volunteers from the area that worked on the pipeline on Blair Branch Road were Gerald Petro, Bill Avera, Dewayne Ashford, Jimmy Ramsey, Jimmy Williams, Marty Williams and Corey Ashford.

A volunteer crew, and four days of hard labor, has brought a much-needed water line to the home of a Gassaway area resident.

Now, Eleanor Watkins and her daughter Melanie, have running water in their home on Blair Branch Road.

The Watkins had been provided water by the Gassaway Fire Department and various neighbors over a period of several months.

That was before members of the community decided to take charge of this project.  Local churches and community members were given an opportunity to donate funds to help get this water line extension going. 

After money was collected, it was time to go to work.  From Feb. 19 through the Feb. 22, this group of volunteers worked to lay more than 2,800 feet of water pipe along the edge of Blair Branch Road to bring city water to her home. Thanks to the efforts of Dewayne Ashford and his backhoe work, this job was made much easier.

Working on the crew were Gerald Petro, Bill Avera, Dewayne Ashford, Jimmy Ramsey, Jimmy Williams, Marty Williams and Corey Ashford.

To celebrate the finished project, Mrs. Watkins, her daughter and volunteers and their families met at the Gassaway fire Hall for dinner on Saturday.  An autographed picture of the volunteers was presented to the thankful recipients of this project.

Mrs. Watkins tearfully expressed her thanks to the volunteers and all who had any input into this project. 

"It's really good to live in a community where people take care of each other," she said.  "This kindness will never be forgotten."