Retired Electricians have Experience

By Mark Geary, Reporter
By Mark Geary

Story Created: Jan 3, 2010 at 4:17 PM CST

Story Updated: Jan 3, 2010 at 4:17 PM CST
CEDAR RAPIDS – A group of retired electricians stepped up after the June 2008 flood and volunteered to help people get their power back. They nicknamed themselves, "Old Farts Electric.” On Sunday, they celebrated a milestone.

What started as a kind gesture for a handful of homeowners has become a full-fledged organization complete with “official” job titles.

"I'm vice president in charge of 'day old donuts,'” volunteer Jim Ryan said.

While they love to poke fun at themselves, the volunteers have helped rewire two-hundred flood victims' homes -- free of charge.

"By the time you finish a house, you know a lot about the people and they know a lot about you,” volunteer Wayne Engle said.

People like Jacqueline Gasper attended a special celebration on Sunday to thank the "Old Farts" for all their hard work.

"With the economy today and everything else, I don't know how a lot of people would do it. We couldn't have done it,” she said.

Cindy Koehler, another flood victim, said, "With the flood, it's been a lot of red tape and they've been able to get a lot of things done quickly to avert the red tape."

Now that the program's almost over, the guys are already trying to find new projects and challenges.

Engle said, "There hasn't been a cross word. It's been fun. The wives have liked it, too because they like to get the guys out of the house."

Organizers estimate the program has generated about one million dollars worth of free labor and material costs for flood victims. They expect to finish their final homes within the next few months.