Jonathan Lin | The Jersey Journal

They came. They saw. They fixed.

Over 400 volunteers of nonprofit "Rebuilding Together Jersey City" got up bright and early this morning to spend the day painting walls, raking leaves, replacing windows and doing other repairs at community facilities and the homes of people in need.

At 7 a.m., they met at their base of operations at the Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School at 509 Bramhall Ave., and then fanned out to eight homes and six community centers around the city to carry out their work.

Naomi Hsu, vice president of the RTJC's board, called being able to help others free of charge an "incredibly rewarding" experience.

"I think it's very humbling to be part of this organization because you see a lot of need out there," she said. "Anytime we can do something to help homeowners, especially those who are elderly and who have children, it's always a great feeling."

While RTJC does work throughout the year, the all-volunteer organization -- which is a local chapter of nationwide nonprofit "Rebuilding Together" -- carries out most of its home rehabilitation in one day each year, Hsu explained.

Volunteers come from company sponsors such as Pershing, Provident Bank, United Water and Connell Foley; schools like St. Peter's University, which enlisted the help of 80 volunteers today; and area labor unions, including professionals like plumbers, carpenters, electricians and masons.

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