Christmas in April shines

More than two dozen less fortunate residents of Clark County were assisted recently by about 2,500 volunteers who participated in the Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April's annual Event Day on April 27.

The volunteers, outfitted in special T-shirts, painted, made plumbing repairs, and fixed bathrooms and kitchens in select homes in Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas. About $750,000 worth of repairs were made to 41 properties, according to Keith Lane, executive director of RTCA Southern Nevada.

"Thirty-three of those homes used volunteer teams from more than 25 different corporate sponsors," Lane said. "We also had significant assistance from other volunteer teams, including the Boy Scouts of America and Nellis Air Force Base."

Nearly 100 volunteers from Community Bank "adopted" the home of Jessie Harris, a North Las Vegas resident. Harris, who is 76, uses a wheelchair.

"The house badly needed painting, both inside and out," Harris said. "The carpet and tile were very worn, (and) my dryer didn't work, so I had to have help just to hang my clothes on the line. I physically couldn't do it."

The Community Bank team, led by Rich Elsmore, made substantial repairs to Harris' home and also purchased a new washer and dryer for her.

"Jessie has become a good friend through this process," Elsmore said. "She's had some hardships in her life, but now the good that she's done for so many others is finding its way back to her. She's a little emotionally overwhelmed by what we've done, but she's greatly appreciative as well."

In Las Vegas, Derrick Wilson's home, which he shares with his 8-year old son, Derrick Jr., was adopted by Cirque du Soleil. Wilson's kitchen received a new sink, cabinets and appliances. Workers also made improvements to the bedrooms, painted and landscaped.

"I feel as if (they) built me a brand new house," said Wilson, who is disabled. "Words can't express what I feel."

RTCA Southern Nevada has assisted more than 300 homeowners since its inception in 1993, according to Therese Elliott, program director.

"Our program is open primarily to low-income seniors and the disabled who own their own homes, although we do consider families with children," Elliott said. "All the repairs we make are done completely free of charge.

"We completely gutted 13 homes this year, performing major roofing, plumbing and electrical repairs. Most of our homes receive major rehabilitation. The only stipulation we put on our work is that the homeowner must continue to live in the home without selling or renting it for one year from the date the repairs are made."

Citibank was another sponsor of the event.

"Not only does it help the truly needy in our community, it provides a superb opportunity for over 200 (employees) to spend one day together as volunteers, actually seeing the results of their hard work," the company's Barbara Mulholland said.

Lane agreed.

"While all charities stretch donations to the fullest, with ours you can see the results of your labor. You see the condition of the home in the morning when you begin, and at 5 p.m. when you finish, you can tangibly see the difference you've made not only in someone's life, but in the whole neighborhood and ultimately the community."

Port of Subs provided lunch for all volunteers and Republic Services provided trash bins at all sites.

In addition to an annual fund-raiser and corporate sponsors, Clark County and the cities of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas help fund RTCA, as does the Division for Aging Services, which supports the organization's Emergency Program that provides quick repairs of plumbing, electrical, heating and air-conditioning problems.

RTCA is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., with 260 affiliates nationwide. More than 8,000 homes in 865 cities were rehabilitated on April 27 with the help of more than 257,000 volunteers. The value of the repairs was estimated at $84 million.

To contact the local affiliate, call 259-4900.

Real Estate home