HOLYOKE - About 200 volunteers will wield hammers and rakes in the third annual Revitalize Community Development Corporation #GreenNFit Neighborhood project Thursday morning on Beacon Avenue, where they will work on three homes.

Colleen Loveless, of Revitalize Community Development Corporation, said the three homes includes work for an elderly widow whose husband passed away two years ago.

The woman, who works part time at Shriner's Hospital in Springfield, are among the volunteers who will help, Loveless said.

The idea for the work is to make the three homes safer, healthier and more accessible for the low-income residents.

Loveless said volunteers will be painting, installing handrails, installing or replacing smoke detectors, and adding insulation, among other projects. She said they begin work on two ramps and finish another time.

Revitalize CDC has organized similar revitalization projects in Springfield for decades and typically draws about a thousand volunteers.

Loveless said they have no trouble enlisting help. Local businesses pay employees and let them volunteer. Faith-based groups provide volunteers, and the Westover Job Corps is sending students.

"With Springfield, once people do it, they do it every year. Holyoke is a little bit smaller. People are getting to know us," she said. "For volunteers, it's a great feeling."

According to a press release, the organization has completed nearly 700 homes and invested $32 million into Western Massachusetts since it was created in 1992.