A local business has stepped up to help the homeless in Kinston.
Hamlet “Hal” Schrader and his company, Southern Flooring, donated the material and labor to put a new floor in the main reception room of the Friends of the Homeless emergency shelter on Thursday.
Schrader said putting in the commercial lament floor cost between $3-4,000 and took half a day to complete.
He said he was proud of Daniel Swaney, Eric Schrader, Danny Hill and Scott Haverland for volunteering for the project.
“I’m proud of four people who are giving their time to help a place where people don’t have a home,” Schrader said.
Schrader is no stranger to the plight of the homeless. He was born in Russia in 1941 and was homeless until he was 14.
He said after his family fled Russia in 1945 they lived in a chicken coop in Germany for three years among many other places.
“I know what it’s like not to have a home,” Schrader said.
Schrader said the people of the community are always reaching out to help those in need.
“Lenoir County is a giving place,” Schrader said. “I see it all the time.”
Jasper Newborn, who has worked at the shelter since 1990, said he has been supported completely through money donated by churches and individuals.
“We are fortunate as a community to be supported by the community,” Newborn said.
He said the shelter takes in roughly 15 people each night — around 4,000 people during the last 22 years.
In addition to providing a place to sleep, the shelter also provides evening and morning meals and a clothing closet stocked by donations from the community and private donors, Newborn said.
Newborn said the shelter helps people by referring them to a wide range of agencies to get extra help.
“We have a referral service for education, health care, employment and basic needs,” Newborn said.
Jajma Johnson, who has been volunteering for three years at Friends of the Homeless, said she got involved with the shelter because she wanted to help the community.
Johnson said she is excited about the upgrade to the floors.
“It’s going to be a step up for us having the new floors,” Johnson said. “It will be easier to clean than the old carpet.”
She said she volunteers 20 hours a week and has a lot of respect for Newborn.
“I’ve never seen him turn anyone down,” Johnson said.
Noah Clark can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Noah.Clark@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @ nclark763.