Builders Care puts a new roof over needy family's head

When it rains, it really pours at 69-year-old Jeannette Williams' home. Her sagging and leaky roof is not holding up well to the excessive rain  brought by Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricane Ike.

Williams, who is the sole caregiver for her mentally challenged daughter and grandson, and who volunteers as a reading tutor, first contacted the City of Fort Myers for help in the fall of 2007. In addition to the roof problems, her kitchen cabinets are falling off the wall and the broken windows throughout the house need replacing.

Builders Care, the nonprofit arm of the Lee Building Industry Association, began $40,000 worth of repairs on the Williams home, located at 821 Dellena Lane in Fort Myers, this week.

In a collaborative effort between Builders Care, the State Housing Initiatives Program through the City of Fort Myers, and local building subcontractors, volunteers will install a new roof, windows and air conditioning. They will also address the dangerous leaks and rebuild the kitchen.

" We are so excited to b be able to give back to an individual who gives so much of their time to help others," said Heidi Davis, Builders Care ex executive director.

The project is expected to take one week to complete, with the new improved home unveiled Sept. 22 at noon.

Builders Care is the nonprofit charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association. 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.

 

Builders Care is headquartered at the Lee BIA offices at 4210 Metro Parkway, Suite 100, Fort Myers. Donations can be made at www.LeeBuildersCare.org or to the Builders Care general fund at any Colonial Bank. More information is available by calling (239) 938-0056.