James Logan looked like he knew what he was doing.
His bearded face, straw cowboy had and dusty work gloves presented a look of a home improvement expert as he used black-painted metal brackets and bolts to connect pieces of hefty lumber in the back yard of a Kutztown home Saturday morning.
He appeared to be a studied hand, an experienced craftsman ready to construct the pergola he was building without breaking a sweat.
Looks, however, can be a bit deceiving.
“I’ve never done this before,” Logan said with a smile. “I just listen to the smart people and do what they tell me. Hopefully, it stands up like it’s supposed to.”
What Logan lacked in experience, he more than made up for with effort, a willingness to learn and a desire to help. Just like most of the 50 people who joined him Saturday to undertake a special project — tackling home improvement projects for a widow and her five children, four of whom are adopted.
The event was joint effort of Keystone Family Alliance, an organization that works to bridge the gap between the child welfare system and local churches, and Both Hands, which serves orphans, widows and adoptive families.
Daphne — whose last name and exact address are being withheld to protect the identity of the foster children who live with her — knows a lot about that world.
Diana Kelly of Blandon installs solar light as part of a home repair project in Kutztown for Keystone Family Alliance on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
From a young age, she felt a strong calling from God to serve children in need, she said. In middle school she even wrote a paper about adoption.
As an adult, she and her late husband, who have one biological child, acted on that calling by adopting four children, three with disabilities.
“It really was just from the Lord,” she said. “The Lord put it on my heart.”
Daphne’s husband passed away four years ago. That has meant Daphne — who has three foster children living at her home along with her children — has had quite a full plate. And that has caused some tasks to go undone.
Daphne said her yard was in desperate need of weeding, with some weeds sprouting as tall as 4 feet. She decided to get a quote from some local landscapers and was dismayed by the high cost that she just couldn’t afford.
Then, a miracle happened.
“The very next day I got a call from Mary Jo asking if I had any projects I needed done,” she said, referring to Mary Jo Lucas, the Berks County coordinator for Keystone Family Alliance.
Lucas said Daphne was a perfect choice for Keystone Family Alliance and Both Hands to help. She was identified by local church and adoption groups as a selfless person in need of a helping hand.
“She is so giving and really just pours her heart out to help other people,” she said.
After chatting with Daphne, it was clear she could use a little more than just some weeding. So, the organizations decided to seal her driveway, install pavers, build a pergola, get rid of a wasp’s nests and take on several other projects.
Mary Jo Lucas of Bernville, Berks County coordinator for Keystone Family Alliance, mulches shrubbery as part of a home repair project in Kutztown on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Everyone who helped out Saturday was a volunteer from a local church, and each secured sponsors to raise money that will be given to Keystone Family Alliance to help other families.
Daphne said she felt blessed.
“I’m overwhelmed with thankfulness,” she said. “It honestly has just been a godsend to me.”
Those doing the work said they were happy to be able to help.
“It’s our faith,” Logan said. “Christ teaches us to take care of the widows and orphans.”
Chad Hendrickson, a self-proclaimed “home handyman,” said much the same.
“It’s a biblical request,” he said. “God put it before us to help those in need, especially children.”
Chad Hendrickson of Exeter Township seals the driveway as part of a home repair project in Kutztown for Keystone Family Alliance on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Hendrickson led a team resealing Daphne’s driveway. And while the work was time-consuming and difficult, he said it was nothing compared to what Daphne has done in raising her children.
“That’s a big undertaking,” he said. “That’s a lot of sacrifice.”
Originally Published: October 26, 2025 at 7:25 AM EDT
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