Rich-Mar Rotary members performed much-needed work at Penney House, a home in Butler operated by The Lighthouse that helps homeless men get back on their feet.

The men trying to change their lives at Penney House in Butler can now do so in a much-improved environment.

About 15 Rich-Mar Rotary members spent Saturday and part of Sunday painting, laying flooring and replacing ceilings at Penney House on East Brady Street, which is operated by The Lighthouse.

The Lighthouse offers men who are down on their luck a year to 18 months of free accommodation at Penney House as they find a job and get on their feet before transitioning to their own housing.

Dan Goss, president of Rich-Mar Rotary, said the home was dated and in need of some renovations.

He explained how the Rotary crew removed old furniture and tore up old carpeting before priming and painting the kitchen, living and dining rooms, placing new laminate flooring in the living and dining rooms, and installing suspended ceiling tiles in all three rooms.

Goss said Rich-Mar paid for the work through a matching $1,500 grant from Rotary International. Rich-Mar funds paid the $1,500 match for a total of $3,000 to use on the Penney House project.

“Every year, the Rotary club president has to come up with something that can be done in keeping with our mission of service above self,” Goss said. “We called The Lighthouse and settled on this one.”

Rotary members eagerly toiled away at Penney House on Saturday and Sunday for about 12 total hours.

“We are very proud of the work,” Goss said. “I think it’s top-notch, what we did.”

He said when the crew was nearly done with the job, a resident happened to come downstairs.

“He was just shocked. He said, ‘I don’t even recognize the place,’” Goss said. “You could tell he was emotionally taken by it.”

He said the crew was unable to replace the kitchen floor, as several heavy appliances must be professionally moved.

The Lighthouse will call a contractor for that job, but the organization still greatly benefited from the grant and the work done by the Rich-Mar members.

“Our members are selfless and concerned about their fellow man to make sure somebody else’s living situation is improved,” Goss said.

Douglas Snyder, director of operations at The Lighthouse, said the organization acquired the house in December 2013.

It is named for Dave Penney, a dedicated former Lighthouse board member.

Snyder confirmed the home was in need of repairs and updating, and the Rich-Mar Rotary crew saved The Lighthouse thousands by performing the work.

“They put effort into the project physically and monetarily,” Snyder said. “They are a fantastic group of guys.”

He said the improvements on the home will have a real effect on those who live there.

“We are impacted by our surroundings as human beings, and it just creates a nice atmosphere for them to live in,” Snyder said.

He said he hopes the Rich-Mar Rotary understands how much The Lighthouse appreciates being chosen as the project for the grant funds.

“We would just like to extend our thanks to them,” Snyder said.