The Traveling Handyman: A Mission to Serve, One Home at a Time

For most, retirement signals a season of slowing down. For The Traveling Handyman, it was the beginning of something entirely new: a calling to serve.

After stepping away from a full career as an entrepreneur and business consultant, Kelly decided he wanted to spend the following years pouring his time and talent into the people who needed it most. He had always been a handy person, able to fix things around the house with relative ease. So when he thought about ways he can serve others, handyman services seemed like a natural fit.

With the help of a cofounder, Erick, Kelly launched The Traveling Handyman nonprofit with the belief that “everyone deserves a safe, comfortable, and well-maintained home — regardless of financial circumstances.” The work is entirely free, and clients are only asked to cover the cost of supplies if they’re able. Since January 2025, the team has already clocked over 330 hours, saving families an estimated $35,000 in repair costs! 

Kelly and his retired contractor associate, Russ, work on anything you can think of, including fixing broken appliances, damaged siding, and faulty sprinklers or even changing light fixtures. If there is anything that stands in the way of safety, function, or comfort, they will tackle it. 

The Traveling Handyman joined The Alliance as a member organization because of their heart to serve vulnerable families in our community. Through the Alliance’s network, they have been able to make connections with other member organizations and find more families in need of services.  

The Alliance’s Church Relations Director, Heidi White, introduced Kelly to her mother, Cheryl — who then connected him with the widows group she started after losing her husband. He showed up to the group eager to share his services, and made sure every single person there knew they could text or call him anytime something needed fixing in their home. 

Since her husband passed away, Cheryl often found herself facing household problems she didn’t know how to fix, and wasn’t even sure who to call. One morning, after misplacing her garage door opener, she decided to reach out to Kelly and Russ. They arrived the very next day with a replacement in hand, encouraging Cheryl to make a list of any other repairs she needed. For the next two hours, they worked their way through her home, tackling each task with skill and good humor.

“While they worked, I could hear them laughing and enjoying themselves. It brought me so much joy,” Cheryl shared. She’s deeply grateful for their help and feels comforted knowing The Traveling Handyman is always just a phone call away. It’s not unusual for the duo to arrive to tackle one repair and end up working on several more before leaving. They’re always eager to jump in and take care of whatever needs attention around the house. “We’re already there. If we can help more while in their home, we do.” Though they try to keep appointments under two hours, they have no problem returning the next day to make sure the home is left in the best condition possible.

One story in particular has left a lasting impression on Kelly. A local family had opened their hearts and home to adopted children, but the husband uses a wheelchair and found it challenging to keep up with home repairs. After spending the day working on their house installing a new kitchen faucet, replacing siding and removing dry rot from the outside of the home, as well as installing weather strips, Kelly could see the difference not just in the home, but in the expressions on their faces. “Just seeing the joy — that’s what makes it all worth it.”

This kind of steady, behind-the-scenes generosity often goes unnoticed, but its impact is undeniable. It’s in the relieved smile of a single mom who no longer has to stress over a leaking pipe. It’s in the renewed confidence of a teen whose bedroom door now closes the way it should. It’s in the simple warmth of knowing someone showed up — not out of obligation, but out of choice.

The Traveling Handyman team isn’t seeking recognition or applause, but simply wanted to inspire the community to show up for others and lend a helping hand whenever possible. When we offer support and stand alongside each other, burdens are lifted and hope is restored. 

Learn more or support their work at: https://travelinghandyman.org/