Marilyn Castillo-Sanchez isn't often shocked. But when she saw how some elderly and disabled people in Albuquerque live, she had to help. Marilyn Castillo-Sanchez and husband, Chris Sanchez, plan to volunteer time and expertise with Rebuilding Together Albuquerque. On Thursday, the two prepared a meal at their home in the East Mountains after Chris Sanchez got home from his construction job. She teased him about how dirty he was before he cleaned up for dinner. (Michael J. Gallegos/Tribune)

Castillo-Sanchez said when she responds to a call for compassion, she's fulfilling a call from Jesus Christ.

HOW TO HELP Volunteers needed: • Laborers • Electricians • Plumbers • Carpenters • Carpet and tile layers • Roofers • Drywallers • Lath and plaster • Painters Donations: • Monetary • Building supplies, everything from nails to drywall Information: Call Gary Blea, 244-6626, by Friday to volunteer. Visit Rebuilding Albuquerque Web site

That call came first in 1997, when she volunteered for Rebuilding Together Albuquerque, a program affiliated with a national organization that repairs houses of people who can't afford the work or don't have help.

The organization repairs about a dozen houses each April. Board members visit about 35 houses a year, choosing which can be repaired within monetary and time restrictions.

"When you have a purpose for doing it and you're serving others, it makes you feel wonderful when you feel like you're helping somebody," Castillo-Sanchez said.

Her husband, Christopher Sanchez, owns a CJ Builders, a local construction company, so his expertise is not only welcome but necessary for some projects.

"I know there's a lot of other people that aren't fortunate like me and my wife," Sanchez said. "It's something to repay people back with. Let's face it. There aren't a lot of people that can afford my services or other people's."

Projects like repairing broken windows are easy for him.

"They live with windows that have been broken for years. To me, it's not hard to put in a window and replace it and save on heating bills."

The couple also enjoy being with the other volunteers.

"It's fun just watching people that don't do that every day," Sanchez said. "At the end of the day, they've learned a little bit. They feel good about helping."

Rebuilding Together Albuquerque board President Gary Blea works at the city's Department of Senior Affairs. Requests from the elderly come to him; others come through the group's Web site or from someone who knows about the project.

One of the most difficult parts of the effort is that not every need can be met, said board Vice-President Fred Silva.

Many are put on a waiting list for the following year.

Sometimes, though, bad situations turn good.

Last year, Honeywell gave $10,000 and the time of 30 employees who volunteered to repair the home of a man on dialysis.

He was using small heaters and the kitchen stove for warmth, Silva said.

Volunteers put in central heat with some duct work and flooring in the kitchen, Castillo-Sanchez recalled. They tore down a wall, put in new cabinets and made plumbing repairs.

Because of the cost, a project that large probably wouldn't have been completed without Honeywell's help, Silva said. Today, the man is living in a safer, and warmer, home.