Everybody needs a little help from their neighbor from time to time. Sometimes that help might require more than just a couple of neighbors.
Terry Williams, a relative newcomer to the Farmersville community and newly elected council member and Rotarian, saw the need to offer some neighborly help and that’s what he’s started doing.
 
“Seeing homes around town whose yards, trees and shrubs were in need of attention and realizing that many were owned by our older citizens, spurred me to want to help,” said Williams. “These residents may not be physically or financially capable of maintaining their yards to the extent they’d like.”
 
Sprucing up the town may be the end result, but compassion for one’s neighbor is the means to that end.
 
The program, Codes of Compassion (CofC), finished its first homeowner project last Friday.
 
It was a group effort and involved Williams, Mayor Bryon Wiebold (also a Rotarian), city staff, members of the Farmersville Rotary Club and Main Street board, the homeowner’s daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Benny Mondy, and a big dumpster.
 
Toxicodendron radicans, commonly known as poison ivy, also made an appearance during the cleanup.
 
The home on Sid Nelson Road is owned by Dorothy Stephenson and the cleanup couldn’t have been timed any better, because it just happened to be her birthday.
 
Weibold explained how the project’s name originated during a conversation with Williams and city manager Ben White.
 
“The original idea was presented by Councilman Williams,” said Wiebold. “It’s really a result of the passion he has for the beautification of the city.”
 
The Stephenson home was the second project undertaken. Earlier this month, Williams, White and city staff members kicked off Codes of Compassion by cleaning up Memorial City Park, just north of the city offices on Main St.
 
Williams said the goal is to take on one project a month and enlist the aid of local churches, civic organizations, the Rotary Club, Boy Scout troops and anyone interested in partnering with CofC.
 
He described a typical project as one where tree trimming, brush clearing, junk disposal and yard mowing is needed.
 
A nomination process to consider properties is in place and the city will simply utilize the city’s code enforcement staff to identify properties that would qualify for assistance. CofC also encourages recommendations from the community.
 
“The hope is this will have a positive impact on our senior citizens, allowing them to enjoy and feel good about their homes every time they step outside or drive by a friend’s house,” said Williams. “As we strive to retain our character in these times of growth, Codes of Compassion will, hopefully, lead the way to maintain and improve our existing older homes in lieu of replacing them.”
 
The mayor echoed the need for a program like CofC.
 
“Ultimately the project is expected to develop a strong volunteer force of individuals and businesses with a heart to serve and skills that will address projects as they are identified,” Wiebold said. “This program will be extremely effective in serving citizens in need, build a strong sense of community and, for those who are interested, provide a meaningful opportunity to serve others.”
 
If you have a project to nominate or would like to volunteer, call the city at 972.782.6151, or Williams, 214.797.9669