Today was a special day where we get to share goodwill and community spirit with a local family in need. Lee BIA Builders Care and the guardian angels of this project, Advanced Roofing & Sheetmetal and Gulf Harbour Memorial Foundation, surprised a family with news of a new roof to be completed today. This family has had their share of challenges and continue to do the best they can even in the face of adversity.
Martha, 63, suffered with Polio as a child and now uses a wheelchair to get around much of the time and wears leg braces for assistance. Eddie, 69, has his own challenges, but serves as the caretaker for Martha and does all of the cooking and cleaning and just recently got a job working as a greeter at McDonalds. After their marriage in 1988, both Martha and Eddie Clemons were actively pursuing independence from the Riverside Group House that they called home. It was at the group home where they met friends and now roommates, Mary Keesee, 55, and Thomas Wilson, 65. Mary works for Goodwill and is deaf and Tommy also uses a wheelchair for mobility. Together in 1996, they bought this Habitat home with the help of LARC, Inc. They have called this place home since 1996 and continue to get supported living services from LARC, Inc.. The roof is 20 years old and has been leaking for years and causing mold and drywall issues inside their modest home.
Homeowner, Martha Clemons said, “I have been praying about this forever. I thank God for answering my prayers.”
Today with the help of Advanced Roofing and Sheetmetal and grant funds from the Gulf Harbour Memorial Foundation, all of those prayers about the leaking roof have been answered.
“We are so humbled to be able to provide this gift to such a special family,” said Heidi Taulman, executive director of Lee BIA Builders Care. “In the face of adversity, they continue to thrive and be an inspiration to others.”
“We are so happy to be a part of this gift for this family,” said Mike Shepherd, President Advanced Roofing & Sheetmetal.
If the weather cooperates, the roof is expected to be completed by the end of the day. The roof is valued at more than $6,000.
Builders Care is the non-profit arm of the Lee Building Industry Association (BIA) and provides emergency construction services to homeowners in need in Lee County, Florida. To donate or get involved, e-mail BuildersCare@bia.net
See more photos, from today’s surprise at http://bit.ly/1juzjML
