With the help of many individuals, so much can be accomplished

Last spring I met a lady who had lost almost everything in her life. Her story tore my heart and I said, “I can do something about this.” Part of her loss was her home, which Mother Nature had decided to drop a tree limb on in a storm. I asked several people for help and advice. All I got was advice like bulldoze it or low-ball offers to buy the property for less than the land was worth.

I could not permit that to happen if I could stop it. I asked the township engineer if the home had value. After inspecting it, he said it was uninhabitable but structurally sound. I started cleaning it up and got offers of help. One young man wrapped the roof in plastic, since I could not afford to replace it. We continued cleaning and doing what we could. Others came with offers of little bits of help.

Finally, I realized there was no way I could complete the project without some big-time help. I called Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity and they came to the rescue. When folks saw there really was hope for this home, they came in droves to help. The Girl Scouts and others cleaned the yard. Someone donated carpet, someone donated materials to fix the roof, a kitchen. Donations of all kinds, including money, poured in.

College kids came on Christmas break to help “A Brush of Kindness” by painting the interior of the home. Finally, when the repairs were almost completed, the homeowner was taken to see her house, which she had not seen since April. Itwas Christmas Day and everyone there was crying with joy.

I just want to thank all of those beautiful people who helped. I thought I was giving by trying to help someone who was worse off than I was, but instead I have received so much from all the people who joined me in this venture.

My wish is that the goodwill that was created can continue through the years to make many more Christmases like this one.

Thank you all.

Trudy Eyre on behalf of Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity Beachwood