Three Durham families are getting some much-needed home repairs taken care of free of charge. Rebuilding Together of the Triangle is fixing up three homes this weekend, including Margaret Wilder's home.
Wilder says caring for her mentally handicapped son has strained her financially.
"And since the government has cut so much funding, I'm furnishing all his clothes and spending money," Wilder said.
So when it came to some badly-needed home repairs, she couldn't afford it. A mold problem from a faulty drainage system has irritated a number of her respiratory diseases, including bronchitis, asthma and emphysema.
That's where volunteers from 17 Rebuilding Together chapters nationwide stepped in to help. Their work is made possible thanks to $30,000 in funding from Durham County and the Shell Oil company.
"Many times the contaminate levels inside a normal home, of things like mold that are just in the air generally, can be five or ten times higher," Rebuilding Together of the Triangle Executive Director Daniel Sargent said.
This is the group's second trip here. Wilder's mold-infested bedroom has already been taken care of along with the installation of a wheelchair accessible ramp.
This weekend, volunteers are working on making the bathroom wheelchair accessible, and adding an improved kitchen ventilation system. New gutters and a new drainage system complete the work outside.
"So what we're able to do is fill a gap and make sure they have a safe and healthy place to live for the rest of their lives," Sargent said.
Wilder compares these volunteers to angels from heaven.
"Honey, you never know the gratitude I feel for all of it," Wilder said. "I cannot imagine, somebody just picking somebody you don't know and helping them out like this."
Rebuilding Together of the Triangle helps families in Wake, Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties. For information on how to help, or how to get help, click here.
Derick is a reporter for WNCN covering crime, education, politics and just about everything in between. He has a knack for adapting to any story and consistently delivers information quickly across multiple platforms.More>>
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:15:56 GMT
Runners in Durham made a marathon effort early Saturday morning to run a roadrace and then make various stops during that race to eat. We're talking cakes, frozen fruit bars, hotdog's smothered in all
Runners in Durham made a marathon effort early Saturday morning to run a roadrace and then make various stops during that race to eat.
Saturday, May 25 2013 1:16 PM EDT2013-05-25 17:16:15 GMT
A decades-old mural, hidden for years, is once again exposed in Downtown Durham. A Coca-Cola mural at 300 E. Main Street remained hidden behind a plaster wall for years. Now, the 1940s era artwork is
A decades-old mural, hidden for years, is once again exposed in Downtown Durham. A Coca-Cola mural at 300 E. Main Street remained hidden behind a plaster wall for years. Now, the 1940s era artwork is
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:20:27 GMT
There's a huge new development on the horizon in the core of the Triangle coming into public focus. A new technology area known as "Chatham Park" near Pittsboro is seeking official approvals for its newly
A new technology area known as "Chatham Park" near Pittsboro is seeking official approvals for its newly revised master plan.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:12 PM EDT2013-05-25 21:12:58 GMT
Police arrested a suspect early Saturday morning after Raleigh gun store on Craftsman Drive was broke into, for the second time in two weeks. Authorities responded to the 4400 block of Craftsman Drive
Police arrested a suspect early Saturday morning after Raleigh gun store on Craftsman Drive was broke into, for the second time in two weeks. Authorities responded to the 4400 block of Craftsman Drive
Friday, May 24 2013 7:32 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:32:53 GMT
Local leaders, business owners and residents gathered at Jordan Lake Friday to urge lawmakers to reject a bill that would repeal a 2009 cleanup plan for the lake.
Local leaders, business owners and residents gathered at Jordan Lake Friday to urge lawmakers to reject a bill that would repeal a 2009 cleanup plan for the lake.
Saturday, May 25 2013 1:16 PM EDT2013-05-25 17:16:15 GMT
A decades-old mural, hidden for years, is once again exposed in Downtown Durham. A Coca-Cola mural at 300 E. Main Street remained hidden behind a plaster wall for years. Now, the 1940s era artwork is
A decades-old mural, hidden for years, is once again exposed in Downtown Durham. A Coca-Cola mural at 300 E. Main Street remained hidden behind a plaster wall for years. Now, the 1940s era artwork is
