Builders' group helps local man

With tools in hand instead of toys, Builders Care volunteers played Santa last week with the launch of their latest project, a bathroom remodel for a Fort Myers father with muscular dystrophy. Brian McGill, 46, broke his leg in 2005, leaving him unable to walk. He is currently confined to his living room because his home is not wheelchair accessible. Working through the Lee Building Industry Association's charitable arm Builders Care, general contractor M.W. Johnson, Inc. and several subcontractors volunteered the materials and labor to demolish the McGill family's existing bathroom and create a new one with a wider door way, walk-in shower and other wheelchair accessible features. The project kicked off on Wednesday, Dec. 5 with a rally including the McGill family, Builders Care representatives, the contractors and other community members, and continued through Saturday, Dec. 8, with the unveiling of the new bathroom. In May, Builders Care constructed a wheelchair ramp for McGill as part of its Ramps Up! projects. "The McGill family really touched our hearts here at Builders Care," said Heidi Davis, executive director. "It is with great joy that we return to their home to undertake a new project that will help make their daily lives a little bit easier." Builders Care is the non-profit charitable arm of the Lee BIA. Its objective is to provide emergency repairs and construction services to elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged people who are unable to obtain home repairs through traditional means. Builders Care enlists the volunteer services of Lee BIA members and leverages grants and donated materials to provide construction and remodeling services to qualified homeowners throughout Lee County. Donations can be made to the Builders Care general fund at any Colonial Bank. For more information, call (239) 938-0056 or visit www.leebuilderscare.org

COURTESY PHOTO Brian McGill, Builder Care's latest recipient, and his wife, Mary, in front of their home that Builders Care volunteers remodeled. Brian McGill, 46, suffers from muscular dystrophy.