BANGOR – Rolf Staples, EAA-Z Fix minor home repair program coordinator for Eastern Agency on Aging, has won the Governor’s Exemplary Service Award for his “commitment to strengthening Maine’s communities through volunteer service.”

“Rolf was nominated because he is an extraordinary human being,” said Drew Matlins, former Senior Sense program director and Rolf’s Americorps Vista supervisor. “He took what was essentially a fledgling program and within months got it up and running with volunteers and clients. He is a year ahead of schedule in expanding the program to Eastern Agency on Aging’s four counties.”

Staples is dedicated, committed and passionate, added Matlins. He understands the bigger picture other than that of just having a house fixed up. There is a quality of life issue at hand.

A woman was housebound because her steps were so rotted that she feared falling if she ventured outside. She became a prisoner in her own home. Staples found a volunteer to fix the front steps and the back steps, too. And as an added bonus, the volunteer built a small stand for her to set her groceries on when she came back from the store.

Staples found a volunteer willing to loan his own air conditioner to a couple in their late 80s who were living in a trailer with only one screened window. The temperature in the trailer was 90 degrees when Staples sprang into action.

Not only has Staples made the EAA-Z Fix program a success, but he has incorporated a home safety component. With checklist in hand, volunteers scour seniors’ homes for safety hazards. This was not originally part of the program. Staples developed the idea and made it a personal mission to ensure that seniors live safely in their homes.

Staples spruces up not only seniors’ homes, but their quality of life as well.