Builders Care makes home safe for family

PHOTOS COURTESY Rosemary Johnson and son Tito look at family photos displayed on their piano in their newly renovated home. The Lee County building industry completely made-over Johnson's home that was previously unsafe and unlivable. A Fort Myers woman no longer has to hand-wash her family's laundry or continually dump the buckets catching leaks under her kitchen sink.

Rosemary Johnson and her two adult disabled sons arrived home May 24 to find that their deteriorating Dunbar-area house had been transformed into a safe and handicapaccessible home by the nonprofit Lee Building Industry Association Builders Care.

Assisted by volunteers from Engle Homes and local building subcontractors, Builders Care provided Johnson and her sons with a home that now has air conditioning and heat, a new roof, hurricane shutters for brand new windows, a front porch, new landscaping, and a remodeled interior featuring handicap access and safety features.

Johnson, a 59-year-old mother of eight who cares full-time for her disabled sons, was overwhelmed when her new home was unveiled by Builders Care officials and emotional volunteers who had demolished, rebuilt and refurnished it in just seven days.

"I've been up all night wondering what it looked like," she said. "I'm speechless."

The Johnson project was Builders Care's fourth extreme home makeover and its second in Fort Myers. It also was the fastest, taking volunteer builders only seven days from demolition to completion of construction.

"Words cannot adequately thank the volunteers for what they've done for Johnson and her family," said Wayne Morosco, executive director of Builders Care. "It's an incredible job."

The massive renovation project was coordinated by Engle Homes, which also contributed money to buy the Johnson family new furniture, dishes, bedding and towels

"We had a lot of support - every contractor who works with us donated time and brought employees," said David Cobb, president of Engle Homes.

Builders Care needs financial support to continue making critical repairs for needy elderly and disabled homeowners. Donations can be made online at www.LeeBuildersCare. or to the Builders Care general fund at any Colonial Bank.