Name: Darlene Leghart
Title: Executive Director, Co-Founder
Where you are from:
Canton, Ohio
What you do at Hammer & Nails:
As Executive Director, I oversee the day to day office functions.  My job ranges from writing grants, soliciting donations, recruiting new volunteers, public awareness, leading job sites and even loading and unloading supplies!
Family:
Married 33 years to high school sweetheart, Mike
Mother of 4 & grandmother of 9:            
Cathy (Brian);  Nathan & Benjamin         
Julie (Brian); Alex, Madison, Josh & Zach
Jodi (Danny) ; Jordan & Shelby
Michael (Courtney); Peri Lynn

Favorites:
Food:  Chicken Marsala; Salads
TV Show:  Anything on HGTV!   Design on a Dime
Book:  The Bible
Pastime:  Reading, Gardening; Spending time with family, especially the grandkids
Quote:   “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you," declares the LORD
Jeremiah 29: 11-14

What can you always find in my refrigerator?:
Salad fixings
Little Known Fact:  I am extremely claustrophobic!  My son-in-law Danny often threatens to build a “mother-in-law” suite with no doors & windows!!

My vision for Hammer & Nails:

Moving to co founder and executive director of Hammer & Nails was an adventure begun by seeking God’s will for my life.  I always wonder what I should or could be when I grew up. I could see other people’s talents and skills but finding my own seemed harder.

Looking back now, I can see the many opportunities and choices God gave me throughout the years.  Raising kids, watching babies, teaching VBS, working with junior and senior high kids, leading women ministries, teaching Sunday school and taking kids on mission trips were some of the opportunities.  Years of working for various servant oriented businesses, being a bookkeeper and office manager and starting a business in our living room with my husband also added to the experience.  Add to this the joy and stress of normal daily living. All of these things along with a compassionate heart and often seeing people’s hurts and needs, led me to fulfilling my purpose in this time and place. 

Taking a step in faith and starting a nonprofit with no resources was scary, but
every day at Hammer & Nails is challenging, rewarding and purposeful. It’s exciting to know that our work is making a difference in someone’s life in the community.  It’s challenging and we need to be creative to find funding and resources.  It’s a joy to see the young people when they finally “get it” and realize why they are helping a family with home and property repairs.  It’s also heart warming to sit and listen to the families and watch/help them work through the experience with H&N staff and volunteers. Most of the time they are overwhelmed with the number of people and the work that is accomplished. The joy on their faces as we apply fresh paint, replace rotted porches and build much needed wheelchair ramps is our reward. 

I invite you to come and join us.  Partner with us as volunteers, financial supporters, or help find in-kind donations of materials and project supplies.  Please pray for Hammer & Nails.   The need for our services in the Stark County community is rapidly growing. Help your neighbors who are struggling to maintain their homes with basic repairs.  It will do your heart good!