MERCER COUNTY

Need a yard tool? Borrow it

Buying into the adage that the job is easier if you have the right tool, the anti-drug coalition ERASE has opened a "lending library" of yard tools.

The program works like a library in that there is no charge for using the tools. People sign up and are issued a library card. Charges only apply to tools returned late, dirty or broken.

ERASE -- Endorse Resistance of All Substance Abuse Everywhere -- is a faith-based, anti-drug coalition that strives to help residents of troubled areas improve them through community service and neighborhood pride projects.

"Our major theme is pride through improvement," said Olive M. Brown, ERASE co-chairperson.

ERASE has lawn mowers, chain saws, brooms, rakes, trimmers and related items available at the 211 Federal St., Farrell, office of Minority Health Advocacy Committee of Sharon Regional Health System.

ERASE is working on getting a shed elsewhere in Farrell to store the tools.

Shenango Valley Foundation donated $1,500 for the purchase of the tools, and Lowe’s in Hermitage sold them at a discount, Ms. Brown said.

"We don’t want to take anything away from the rental places," she said. "We want these for people in the area who can’t afford to rent them."

The tools also will help ERASE on future clean-up days, like the one it held in May in the area of Hamilton and Fruit avenues and Idaho, Union and Federal streets, Farrell. ERASE rented tools and some others were donated for the day.

"It cost a lot of money to rent the tools," Ms. Brown said.

ERASE also is accepting donations of tools to expand the library.

"We’re asking anybody in the community who have tools in good condition that don’t need repairs; we’ll take them."

ERASE is looking to start another improvement effort in Ms. Brown’s neighborhood, Fruit Avenue from the 200 block to Roemer Boulevard. Ms. Brown will start holding meetings with residents after Labor Day.

Other Farrell residents also have expressed an interest in starting a neighborhood association, and ERASE has talked to Sharon Mayor Robert T. Price about getting one started in Sharon.

Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission, which gave ERASE the $10,000 grant that got it started, is putting together a booklet on starting neighborhood associations.

Ms. Brown said she’s happy with the way things have gone for ERASE.

"It’s a slow process, but the slower the better," she said. "You’re learning as you’re going."

ERASE is planning to send some members to anti-drug training, and has applied for more funding. The coalition also hopes to start programming through Mercer County Head Start.