By Pamela A. Zinkosky
Rebuilding Together Oakland County knows that many hands make light work. That’s why the nonprofit has organized 225-250 volunteers to make over nine Pontiac homes on May 7. That’s the “build day,” when a total of 50 Oakland County homes and buildings will get spruced up by some 1,300 volunteers.
Since 1992, Rebuilding Together has mobilized local church groups and other organizations to create safe, comfortable home environments for elderly, disabled and low-income residents. The groups contribute funds toward home renovations and send workers to complete home repairs during a “one-day blitz” in late April or early May. The homes are typically located in the communities where the workers live and work.
This year, Rebuilding Together is collaborating with the City of Pontiac to renovate nine homes and a community park in the city – a first-of-its kind project for the nonprofit organization.
“It’s going to be a total transformation,” said Joe Hejka, a volunteer managing the Pontiac project. Hejka said the renovations will not only help residents in need, but improve the look of the whole neighborhood, located at South Boulevard and Franklin Roads, with landscaping and other exterior improvements.
The local park’s equipment will get a fresh paint job, clean-up and repairs to its basketball court. A senior citizen suffering from the effects of chemotherapy will get a new utility room for easier access to his laundry facilities. An epileptic woman who’s unable to work will get new kitchen cabinets and countertops. A dialysis patient will get a fresh coat of paint on his house, new gutters and repairs to his porch steps.
Sponsors include a Knights of Columbus council, DTE Energy and other organizations that have donated funds and will send work crews to the homes early in the morning on May 7.
Oakland County Planning and Economic Development Services will also be hosting its third annual street fair in Pontiac that day. The fair includes information on home repairs, mortgages and other home ownership resources, plus entertainment for kids. The fair not only reinforces the pillars of home ownership, but draws attention to Rebuilding Together’s Pontiac project, Hejka said.
Across the county
Farmington, Farmington Hills, Novi, Walled Lake, Southfield, Royal Oak and other cities across the county will also benefit from Rebuilding Together’s May 7 build date, as local crews work on homes and buildings in those communities.
“We have a record number of homes this year,” said Al Kaczkowski, the executive director and only employee of Rebuilding Together Oakland County. Last year, 37 sites underwent renovations; this year, it’s 50. The number includes some nonprofit facilities.
“We’ve increased tremendously,” he said. “We’re developing and helping more homeowners.”
Kaczkowski’s favorite project this year is the home of a Farmington Hills Korean veteran.
The resident, James Smith, had water damage to his ceiling a few years back. His neighbors helped him repair some of it, but he ran out of funds. Sears Heroes at Home is sponsoring the home. A crew from Orchard United Methodist Church will finish the ceiling, add insulation and put in new doors. Hansons will install new windows free of charge.
“It gives us a lot of pleasure to be able to help these folks who have served our country,” Kaczkowski said. Before the work begins on May 7, Congressman Gary Peters will present Smith with an American flag for his service to the country.
In addition to local home sponsors, Rebuilding Together has national sponsors like Eaton Corp., Lowe’s and Home Depot who donate materials and funds. This year, sponsors have donated more than 100,000 in labor and materials, Kaczkowski said.
Rebuilding Together is working to determine how to best keep up with the increasing needs of homeowners. Possible initiatives include increasing the smaller home repairs the organization does throughout the year, adding more initiatives like the Pontiac project and adding employees to the organization.
“As the needs grow, it’s getting bigger than just a volunteer organization,” said Kaczkowski.
Learn more about Rebuilding Together at www.rebuildingtogether-oaklandcounty.org.