COEUR D'ALENE -- A North Idaho man is trying to give back to the community the best way he knows how by offering up a day's worth of free handyman work to families in need.

For 25 years Scott Whitman has worked in the construction business. He now runs NBR Home Services out of Priest River, Idaho. After watching the crisis unfold in Haiti and feeling helpless Whitman decided he could help closer to home.

"We saw the disaster in Haiti, I can't go to Haiti to help - they've got enough help as is - I thought why can't I do something here at home?" Whitman said.

Evelyn DeLaughter heard about the free handyman work being offered and submitted an essay nominating herself. On Sunday Whitman and a team of volunteers showed up to build the 71-year-old widow a new staircase outside her garage so she could access old items in storage.

"I don't get around very well, so I couldn't get up there to see my treasures," DeLaughter said.

It's a construction job that would have cost between $500 and $600 dollars and it was done for DeLaughter free of charge.

"It feels real good when you get the hugs from the people, and the smiles, its real nice," Whitman said a day after completing his first community project.

A new staircase might not seem like an elaborate request but for Evelyn it's a chance to sift through old mementos including keepsakes that belonged to her late husband.

"He collected knives, I'm sure I'll find them there too," she said.

With help from volunteers and donations from local businesses, Scott Whitman’s goal is to help 12 struggling families with free basic handyman services in 2010.

In order to be eligible homeowners must live in Bonner, Boundary or Kootenai County. For more details contact NBR Home Services at (208) 818-1323 or e-mail Scott Whitman at scott@nbrhomeservices.com.