REBUILDING TOGETHER RENOVATES HOME FOR LOW

REBUILDING TOGETHER RENOVATES HOME FOR LOW

INCOME VETERANS -- "This means everything to me.

My wife and I are on a fixed income so this is a big help."







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Rebuilding Together-Miami renovates homes for low-income veterans

REBUILDING TOGETHER-MIAMI AND THE HEROES AT HOME PROJECT PAIRED WITH CORPORATE PARTNERS TO MAKE LIFE AT HOME A BIT MORE COMFORTABLE FOR SOME LOCAL VETERANS

BY ERIKA CAPEK
ecapek@MiamiHerald.com


No longer does James Sands have to choose between buying food and medicine or having the deteriorating screen replaced on his house. This month, he got both.

Sands, a World War II veteran and member of American Legion 182, is having much of his Coral Gables home renovated, including shelving for his kitchen cabinets, handicap bars in his bathrooms, exterior painting, floor boards replaced around the house and other odds and ends.

Thanks to Rebuilding Together-Miami and the project Heroes at Home, three war veterans including Sands are having much-needed work done to their houses.

''This means everything to me,'' Sands said. ``My wife and I are on a fixed income so this is a big help. I'm really happy with the work the volunteers have done. Anything is an improvement.''

Founded in 1993, Rebuilding Together-Miami is a nonprofit organization that supports low-income families, the elderly and the disabled, members of the military and veterans and their families by providing home repairs, improvements or modifications.

More than 30 volunteers came out Sept. 13 to help with the project. Sears and Kmart stores also helped renovate these homes by raising money through a nationwide in-store fundraising campaign and donations.

''Rebuilding Together-Miami is very pleased and proud to team with Sears and Kmart to assist military families in the Miami community,'' said President Bob Miller.

For the past several years, the organization has been working on a ''shoe-string'' budget and mostly did simple tasks and painting. This year, however, Rebuilding Together raised more money from private donations and grants and is able to do more complicated repairs.

Shell Lumber, a hardware store in Miami, donated $15,000 in materials to help the veterans, and House Doctor's President Lucious McGriff Jr. has been volunteering for five years and has been doing all the contracting for these houses.

In Gerald Smith's home, many big repairs were done or are still being worked on each day. Smith, 60, is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam and is now confined to a wheelchair. He had a leg amputated three years ago as a result of exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

''Because he's in a wheelchair, he couldn't move around his house very easily,'' said James McCants, director of community affairs. ``We cut the wall in the kitchen so he'll have access to the fridge and we also took the wall out in his bedroom because there wasn't enough room for mobility. We widened the door to the bathroom so it would be easier with his wheelchair and put a seat in the shower so he can bathe himself.''

And for Vietnam veteran Alexander Harris, 59, who is confined to a wheelchair as well, doors are also being widened for easier accessibility, and he is receiving new hurricane proof shutters to help keep his home safe during storms.

Volunteers who came out on the hot and humid Saturday included University of Miami students, community members and young adults with Greater Miami Service Corps.

''We started at 9 a.m., working on different details on the house, landscaping and trimming and cutting,'' said Robert Clark, lead team supervisor. ``Whenever we get a call to help with a project, we come out to volunteer our time.''

One community volunteer, Gordon Fales came out Saturday to paint and help those that need it.

''This is unique because we as volunteers are able to fix an immediate need and help these people retain home ownership,'' Fales said. ``It's really rewarding to meet the people that we're helping.''

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REBUILDING TOGETHER RENOVATES HOME FOR LOW INCOME VETERANS

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