WDBJ TV
April 2008
Jean West can't believe her eyes. Complete strangers are putting in a hard day's work to fix up her home.
"I've been a widow for 21 years. And, it's been hard for me to keep the place up," said Jean….
These volunteers are one of several groups around the country repairing homes as part of the organization Rebuilding Together, the nation's largest all-volunteer home rehab group. Sizemore had paid someone to fix her furnace and make repairs to the outside of the house, but the work was only partially completed. "They did part of it and then took the rest of the money and left," she said, standing in her dining room next to a kerosene heater that serves as a main source of heat. HSMM employees are headed out on a Saturday in late April -- on their own time -- to repair the homes of two low-income residents in association with Rebuilding Together-Roanoke, a not-for-profit organization that fixes up homes of the needy.
Roanoke Times Dec 2007
Volunteer groups team up to repair a Roanoke County home
Sandra Sizemore's old farm house in the Mount Pleasant area of Roanoke County needed some major home repairs, and volunteers were on hand Saturday to help her out.
Enter Rebuilding Together Roanoke and the Roanoke chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Together, the two organizations are using an $8,500 grant from the Lowe's Foundation to install a heat pump to warm the inside of Sizemore's house and hang siding to protect the outside.
It's critical need, income, elderly, disability and small children in the home. There are points for each of those criteria, and the highest rated ones get ranked first," Murray said. "We've done everything from new electrical systems, new heating systems, new roofs. You name it, we've done it."
HSMM Web Site
"We'll probably have about 30 people out there painting, fixing roofs, doing rough carpentry and landscaping," structural engineer Sarah Glenn said.
I just want to express my sincere gratitude and sincere appreciation to Rebuilding Together for the excellent jobs that was done on my residence.
-Mrs Willie Dillard-
The work done by the group was wounderful and much appreciated by us. The spirit and attitude of all the workers expressed the love of God for us.
-Evelyn Clements-
Roanoke Times
April 2007
Home rebuilt on kindness: Volunteers upgraded a Roanoke home in a single day.
There was no Ty Pennington or design team or special weeklong trip to Disney World.
There was no fine home hiding behind a motor bus or a new car in a fancy garage.
There was just Alice Collins, 62, sitting quietly on her couch watching television as a dozen or so volunteers spent the day making her home on Chapman Avenue just a little more comfortable. ….
"They called and told me I got it, and I said, 'Oh, thank God,' " Collins said. "I've been praying about it."
The extent of work completed at Collins' house was a culmination for the 9-year-old program.
Volunteers from local construction companies used to simply repaint wood and replace gutters, restore decaying porches and complete minor plumbing repairs.
But now, the organization has expanded its work, according to Troy Henderson of G&H Contracting in Salem, who helped plan the project for Collins.
Henderson and his fellow workers at G&H cracked old concrete with a jackhammer, installed a new storm door, replaced vinyl siding and built a new bathroom, complete with a handicapped accessible shower and toilet. The cost of the project might run about $15,000, according to G&H superintendent Kenny Graham.
Rebuilding Together - Roanoke meet the 150th home repaired with the completion of Alice Collin's home .
I still wear a smile when I think of or use my bathroom. I am no longer concerned that I might end up in the basement. The floor looks great and feels so much better. P.S. thanks also for the food. I was truely queen for a Day!
-Althama Hale-
Your kindness meant so much. Thank you.
-Connie Cansler-
Media Articles
Roanoke Times
May 2005
Allstate's good hands get to work
Essie Bell has lived in the 2200 block of Hanover Avenue Northwest for fifteen years. Although she retired from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center nearly 10 years ago, she still devotes her time to taking care of her children, grandchildren and two adopted children who live with her.
"I call it Bell's Hotel," she said. "I have a full house every Sunday. I love to cook, and they love to come."
This weekend, Bell had guests on Saturday as well. Twenty-five volunteers from Allstate Insurance came to work on her home as part of Rebuilding Together - Roanoke's Annual Rebuilding Day. Rebuilding Together seeks to help Roanoke Valley residents with physical or financial limitations repair their deteriorating homes.
A laundry list of repairs at Bell's home included painting both inside and out, replacing doors and windows, repairing leaky toilets, mowing the lawn and much more. She applied to Rebuilding Together two years ago, and this year her request was accepted for the work day.
Roanoke Times
April 2008
Teaming up to Rebuild
Homeowner Denise Campbell ticked off the Allstate worker's accomplishments: Besides the front steps, the crew was painting, fixing plumbing and installing a new sink and vanity.
"I am glad and happy" to see the work done right, said Campbell, who has lived in the 59-year-old home for 11 years and who works as an activities assistant at the Adult Care Center of the Roanoke Valley.
A few blocks down Florida Avenue, a huge crew from AkzoNobel was tackling a variety of tasks around the home of Laura Bailey. "I'm very glad they have something like this. It's a wonderful thing," said Bailey, a retired clerk-typist who has lived in the neighborhood for decades…..
"They need a little help," Garneau said of the homeowners selected by Rebuilding Together. "Take a little of your time and help people."
Testimonials
The gentlemen were just like part of the family, did a great, great job.
-Clovis Rogers-
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of you for all the hard work you did to make my home more comfortable and livable for me....I can not do much work but, I will find someway to help your program next year.
-Blanche Frierson-
