How many times have you said “I wish I had help” or “If I only had one more hand.”?
1. You have home projects you’d like to finish (or start), piles you’d like to see cleaned up, housework, yard projects, …the list never ends. What about setup and takedown for fundraisers, family reunions, and other events? Organizing papers? Messes you want cleaned? Small construction projects? Old houses demolished? Honey-do's? Maybe you just want a book read to you, or someone to teach you Excel, or fold the laundry, or mow the lawn? What about setting up that bed, carrying boxes, or holding up that new curtain rod or that wrench? Or help with taking down your above-ground pool or Christmas tree? Maybe you have to mail out wedding invitations, newsletters, or event flyers and need help folding and stuffing? The sky's the limit. Look around and you know there are jobs where you live that you would like to knock off your To-Do list if you just had some help.
2. How much do you charge? That’s the beauty of it….it’s free. You’ll never see me with my hand out; my goal is to give you the helping hand you need. My compensation is seeing your relief that projects are coming off your to-do list.
3. What’s the catch? What’s in in for you? There’s no catch. Basically,
a. I like to help people. Always have, always will. I get enjoyment out of seeing you get your things done and knowing I was a part of that.
b. I’m used to working all-out at a fast pace with extreme output. Since my life has slowed down a lot, I’m looking for more activities to ramp it back up. I don’t drink, smoke, watch TV, watch sports, etc. and I’m not a big fan of talk and watching other people do things. It’s the action I like and what you need that’s going to make things happen.
c. The time is mine. If I get done early, I can leave when I want. If I’m not finished, I can stay until I am done. If I take a break (hardly ever, but sometimes), I can take it for 5 minutes instead of a required 15. I like that freedom.
d. I have needed help myself, and wished there was “that person” I could call who I knew wouldn’t get irritated and would be there for me. But it isn’t easy to find someone who will put on a business suit one day and get muddy in a crawl space the next. I want to be your person.
e. It helps me gain new experiences and improve on stuff I already know.
f. It helps me meet people, make friends, and gets me out of the house and out where I can do some good.
4. Any special things I need to know?
a. You have to provide any consumables and tools/equipment. I’ll do the labor, but can’t afford to supply any paint, mowers, gasoline, etc.
b. Although I hate to admit it, some jobs will just be beyond my means (require heavy equipment, etc.). If I needed to, realistically, I could dig an in-ground pool with a shovel…😊
c. I’d like to spread my help around, so if I feel like I’m being taken advantage of, I may have to cut you off. No hard feelings.
d. I’ll snap a before and after photo just so I can get the word out. The more advertising, I can get, the more help I can provide.
5. How do I schedule you?
a. E-mail me or message or call me with 1) what you want done, and 2) when you would like it done. If I can help and can meet your schedule, I’ll contact you back. Then you can send me contact information so I drive to your location and get to work.
b. I am currently accepting projects in Trenton (GA), Rising Fawn (GA), Tiftonia (TN), Whiteside (TN), and Wildwood (GA). If you are outside of these areas, give me a try anyway and I’ll do my best to get there (schedule-permitting).
c. If you change your mind after you have scheduled, and you decide to do the job yourself or you get help elsewhere, please e-mail or call me to cancel as soon as you know, so I can help someone else instead of driving to you.
6. What are your values? I am extremely meticulous and quality-minded, and will do any job as if I was doing it at my own home for my family. I have a Master’s degree in Leadership and Management, and a Bachelor’s and Associates in Nuclear Engineering. I was a Navy Chief Electrician for 24 years. Here’s my LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnthuffman/. Bottom Line: I am trustworthy and not going to touch your stuff unless it is needed to do the job. I am there to help you. Period.
7. What kinds of things can you help with? I do a little bit of everything. Feel free to help me add to the list below. 😊
So, that's my story. I’m here to help!
Sincerely,
John Huffman
Your Dade Helper
[email protected]
Stuff I have experience doing (an ever-growing list!):
Technical: operating nuclear plants, operating nuclear submarines, creating curriculum, management (hiring, firing, evaluation, counseling, rewards), human resources, production line assembly, picking, scanning, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Six Sigma, Lean, 5S, statistics, auditing, process improvement, Value Stream Mapping, computers (MS Office, DOS to Win10), Sketchup, 3D printing, designing spreadsheets and databases, webpages, word processing, PowerPoint presentations, MS Publisher, income tax preparer, financial counselor, writing work packages, work procedures, maintenance procedures, social worker, 23) Master Training Specialist (teacher, lecturer, presenter); equipment repair and assembly (electrical/mechanical/electronic, etc.)
Housework: organizing (stacking, sorting, filing), beds, boxes (carrying, packing, moving furniture), cooking/BBQ, laundry (washing, drying, folding, ironing), dishes, cleaning, vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, wiping, carpet cleaning, feeding and care of pets (dogs, cats, fish, turtles, birds), garage piles
Yardwork: mowing, edging, weeding, trimming, leaves, planting, fertilizing, aerating, seeding, pruning, brush clearing, metal scrapping, cleaning, recycling, gardening; swimming pools (setup, maintain, clean, break down)
Construction: painting, framing, plumbing, woodwork, drywall, doors/ windows, dryer venting, crawlspaces, attics; Wiring/installing light switches, outlets, lights, ceiling fans
Family: reading, diapers, activities, games, crying babies 😊
Recreation: biking, soccer, walking, running, trail hiking, caving, hovercrafting
Hobbies: sign language, Spanish, escape rooms, puzzles, inventing
Automotive: maintenance (repairs, oil changes, brake replacement, air filters, vacuuming, washing, tire rotations), looking for lost items 😊
Driving: running errands, travel, road trips, pickups and deliveries
Events: setup, takedown, chairs, tables, decorations
Community: Meals on Wheels delivery; Food Bank sorting; Goodwill sorting;
Odd jobs: catching/ removing pests and rodents, making gutters, cutting rebar
If you don't see it here, it doesn't mean I haven't done it. Just ask!
