“It’s really the perfect partnership,” said Lynette Farhart, Rebuilding Together Omaha’s executive director.

Because of the nature of the work and vulnerability of some of the homeowners, Farhart said, her organization seeks professional electricians to volunteer.

“To have more than 20 guys offer up their Saturday to do this work? It’s really amazing. It helps us out so much,” Farhart said.

Most of the repairs on Saturday were simple: adding new outlets or updating old ones. Still, the cost of hiring electricians likely would top $100 or $200 per house, said Sara Zivny, Rebuilding Together Omaha’s program manager.

Many of the elderly homeowners the organization works with are able to live on their own, but don’t have the extra funds for upkeep or repairs.

“The work we do can allow them to stay in their home,” Farhart said.

Smith is independent and handy (and proud of it), but she’s started to realize she can’t do everything herself. Smith now lets someone else mow her lawn and vacuum her carpet. She uses a cane and is quick to tell about the pins in her back from two surgeries.