Local Homeowner Receives a Helping Hand with Home Repairs

Several years ago, San Angelo resident Dorothy Taylor had to retire from her maintenance job due to health reasons. She said, "It got to where I could barely carry my oxygen bottle just to breathe." With only her husband's income, home repairs went undone due to lack of finances. She said she had "put in an application for assistance with Christmas in April about 5 years ago, as their 60-year-old house needed many repairs." Taylor said she kept praying for help, and, when she lost her husband a couple of years ago, she "wasn't quite sure what to do."  

Taylor said her bathroom was unusable. There were several weak spaces in her floor, and she was just overwhelmed. Not long ago, she said, "When I finally received a letter from Helping Hands notifying me I had been approved for help, the first thing that went through my mind was, 'Thank you Jesus!'"  

Helping Hands is a non-profit organization that has taken over Christmas in April and Rebuilding Together in San Angelo. Binnie Dierschke, of Dierschke and Dierschke Real Estate, said their agency is hosting Taylor's recently approved renovation, and is thankful for the many volunteers involved. 

Teri Covert, the project coordinator over seeing the renovations, referred to HH as "a great non-profit agency that does wonderful things for elderly and disabled homeowners in the community that can't take care of their own houses." Saturday, as Mrs. Taylor sat watching the workers, she said, "I wasn't expecting anything other than help with the bathroom." She added that she was so excited they were there painting the exterior as well.

Covert added, "Through the Helping Hands program, many clients will be able to stay in their homes for many more years than they would have gotten to before. We've had to tear out most of the bathroom, all the way down to the foundation, and now we're rebuilding it. We did the demo yesterday, are rebuilding today and the bathroom should be useable by tomorrow."

Taylor said she was "overjoyed" when she was told she will have a walk-in shower, new vanity and a tall toilet.  

"There is some termite damage, and we would love to see a volunteer termite company come out and spray for her as that would be really helpful," said Covert. "We have a lot of great people at Dierschke and Dierschke who have experience doing home remodels; and then there are people like me who have little experience, but we all work together to get the job done.

Along with the D & D team, Covert added, "Helping Hands has many volunteer teams including people from ASU and the military and are always welcoming assistance from anyone who is willing."  

Covert attributed the success of this project to the combined efforts of D & D, volunteers, Helping Hands, City Lumber, Mary Herbert, and Galilee Community Development.

"We do what we can, and I know it will make a huge difference in Mrs. Taylor's life.  

Volunteers, monetary donations and materials are always appreciated as this is only one of 30 homes these volunteers are currently working to rebuild.  For more information, please contact Mary Herbert at Galilee Community Development (325) 655-6700, or  http://www.galileecdc.org/. Also check out Helping Hands San Angelo on Facebook.