On January 24, 1999, Peter A. Brady was attending Sunday Mass at his Parish Church, Saint Joseph Catholic in Brookfield CT. and the Pastor was delivering his homily on the wonderful works of Saint Peter. Listening attentively, Peter Brady wrote a note to Fr. Larry Carroll suggesting that he be a Handy Man for the Seniors in the parish community on a part time basis doing all the work on a no charge basis. Peter later met with the management of the church to discuss the principle of the Ministry, and the Handy Dandy Handyman Ministry was born.
During the year 1999, all work was performed on weekends starting with 2 clients and 10 volunteers which included Peters 3 daughters and his lovely wife Carol Ann. The Church became the spiritual base as well as the financial support. The only financial need was for the cost of the materials since no one in the Ministry would be paid for the service no mater how large or small the assignment.
When Peter then 58 years of age decided to take early retirement on February 28th 2000 after serving Nestle USA for 38 years in several successful positions (latest being Director of Purchasing), March 1st became the start of a full time second career working for seniors, widowed, divorced, handicapped, and unemployed on home repairs, cleaning yards, attics, basements, and any other odd job presented.
In May 2003, it was decided that the Ministry was growing to be too large for the Church to handle the administration of the expenses and the donations and with mutual agreement Peter applied for a Non-Profit 501-C-3 status with the government and it became official on January 17, 2004. This move would open doors to Grants, Corporations, and other financial supporters interested in playing a role in the growth of this newly formed Company run as a Ministry.
The organization maintains a 7 person Board of Directors with a spending budget of approximately $75,000.00 annually, serving 7 Greater Danbury towns. The Ministry has a paid bookkeeper who balances all the accounts monthly as well as a CPA who performs a professional Audit annually. A liability insurance policy is in place for any unusual occurrences. The client base is approaching 1200+ while the volunteers have grown to 2200+ with no end in sight.
It has been a very rewarding experience for Peter, his family and friends who participate on a regular basis, doing all the work in the Name of the Holy Spirit.