Good Deeds: Retired contractor helps build up families

Jim Snodgrass, 84, will pour concrete for His Helping Hands charity in temperatures higher than his age.

About 10 years ago, Snodgrass retired from his general contracting job with his family business, Snodgrass Construction.

“I played golf for a couple years and that wasn’t rewarding,” he said. “Maybe a little bit, but I couldn’t keep up.”

Ten years ago, Snodgrass helped organize the concept of His Helping Hands, a furniture bank that distributes donated items to needy families in the Wichita area. It is a ministry of Central Christian Church and also distributes clothing and other household items at no cost, according to its website.

But it wasn’t long before Snodgrass got back into construction.

“It’s kind of a natural fit,” he said. “ I’m a master of nothing but experienced at everything.”

Snodgrass organized donations of material and labor for several of His Helping Hands’ storage units and warehouses, including the construction of the group’s original 28,000-square-foot building.

“It’s rewarding to see other people benefiting from the ministry that everybody provides,” Snodgrass said. “ It’s fun to watch all these things happen.”

This story was originally published June 1, 2014 at 12:43 PM with the headline "Good Deeds: Retired contractor helps build up families."