Volunteers Rebuild Homes For Needy In South Dade
MIAMI (CBS4) - It's been years since the Colliers have been able to live comfortably.
"I talked to my husband and said 'Well, we got to pay the house payment or have the bathroom fixed' and I know when you get behind in your house payment, one payment, you never catch up," Lillie Collier, a homeowner in Leisure City, shared with Neighbors 4 Neighbors' Nicole Maristany.
With their home in disrepair, they needed to make modifications to accommodate their disabilities but it was too costly for the elderly couple.
"We'd never be able to do it on our own," explained Lillie's husband, Bradie Collier.
But in the past month volunteer teams from Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade worked to repair the Collier's home and 18 others in Leisure City, Naranja and Homestead.
"We have elderly like Ms. Collier, we have blind like her husband, we have disabled veterans, we help folks that just can't make ends meet," said, James McCants with Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade.
The home received a makeover both inside and out.
"We put in grab bars, commodes and area where she can come in with ease. We'll donate the carpet and the labor, the landscaping, we're going to clean it up for them," explained, Alex Nieves, a contractor from Landmark/First Florida who volunteered to head up the project at the Collier house.
It's a cause that's close to his heart.
"I lived through it, I got a son that was injured so I'm very happy to help anybody in that situation, I know what they're going through," said Nieves.
And the Colliers are grateful to have their house feel like home again. .
"I'm very excited and very happy because I have seen my bedroom go where I couldn't enter into and now I can go in with my wheelchair," said Lillie.
Bradie felt the same way, "It's a blessing from God, a blessing from God."
Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade and Broward are still looking for volunteers to join their teams. For more information on how you can help, call Neighbors 4 Neighbors at 305-597-4404 or visit, www.neighbors4neighbors.org.
