Woman's Home Repaired Courtesy of Volunteers
By: Eugene Daniel
Updated: April 28, 2012
PEORIA HEIGHTS- A lot of people use weekends to fix up their house. But that's not an option for Peggy Ewing of Peoria Heights.
"If I had an unlimited income I would hire things done, but I'm living on a fixed income now. And I have to be very selective about what I do," Ewing said.
The 23-year-old home of Ewing and her dog, Max, isn't in great shape. In the past, she had no problem fixing it alone.
"I started with a fixer upper and did a lot of work myself. And I simply can't do it anymore. So I looked for help," she said.
Saturday, she got the help she needed through "Rebuilding Together-Peoria." It's a non profit that helps low income and elderly homeowners.
"This would have cost her a lot of money and we're just glad to be able to help out by putting forward labor as well as materials," said Jenny Fulton, media relations for Peoria County.
Renovations to Ewing's home included new plumbing, roof repairs, and landscaping. All made possible by volunteers, including Peoria County employees.
"Well Peggy's done a great job keeping her house set, but there's just certain things she couldn't get done on the outside," said volunteer Perry Redman.
Redman and his wife, Trish, met through their work with the program. They say it's more than just service, it's fun.
"So you get to work together. You know in a different environment. Splash paint on each other," she said.
For Ewing, the end result is a gift she says she can't repay.
"It takes a tremendous person to be willing to give to others and just the fact they're willing to give their Saturday and help me. I'm tremendously grateful," she said.
The renovations would have cost Ewing an estimated $8000 or more. Her home was not the only one repaired Saturday. "Rebuilding Together-Peoria" adopted 11 other homes Saturday morning.
"If I had an unlimited income I would hire things done, but I'm living on a fixed income now. And I have to be very selective about what I do," Ewing said.
The 23-year-old home of Ewing and her dog, Max, isn't in great shape. In the past, she had no problem fixing it alone.
"I started with a fixer upper and did a lot of work myself. And I simply can't do it anymore. So I looked for help," she said.
Saturday, she got the help she needed through "Rebuilding Together-Peoria." It's a non profit that helps low income and elderly homeowners.
"This would have cost her a lot of money and we're just glad to be able to help out by putting forward labor as well as materials," said Jenny Fulton, media relations for Peoria County.
Renovations to Ewing's home included new plumbing, roof repairs, and landscaping. All made possible by volunteers, including Peoria County employees.
"Well Peggy's done a great job keeping her house set, but there's just certain things she couldn't get done on the outside," said volunteer Perry Redman.
Redman and his wife, Trish, met through their work with the program. They say it's more than just service, it's fun.
"So you get to work together. You know in a different environment. Splash paint on each other," she said.
For Ewing, the end result is a gift she says she can't repay.
"It takes a tremendous person to be willing to give to others and just the fact they're willing to give their Saturday and help me. I'm tremendously grateful," she said.
The renovations would have cost Ewing an estimated $8000 or more. Her home was not the only one repaired Saturday. "Rebuilding Together-Peoria" adopted 11 other homes Saturday morning.
