Community Effort Restores Unlivable Home
In a heartwarming display of community support, the Lincoln Community Foundation recently extended a helping hand to a Lincoln resident in dire need. A generous grant of $20,,000 from the Foundation played a pivotal role in initiating a magnificent humanitarian project that garnered support from over 20 organizations. The outcome was a complete transformation of the resident’s house, providing them with a new lease on life.
It all began when Lincoln city code enforcement officials noticed a house with significant roof damage. Upon conducting an on-site inspection, it became evident that the house was in a deplorable state, rendering it technically unlivable. While the easy solution might have been to condemn the property, the code enforcement officials sought a better alternative.
Approaching the owner, a retired medical administrative worker who had lived in and owned the house for decades, the officials proposed a community-based project. With the owner’s consent, she temporarily relocated to live with her children while an ambitious renovation of the property took shape.
Leading the construction efforts was Lincoln’s chief building official, Will Foote, a member of the Sacramento Valley Association of Building Officials. Having been involved in numerous reconstruction projects in various cities since 2007, Foote was well-equipped to guide the endeavor.
On a late winter day, the Rotary Club of Lincoln joined forces with members of the Sacramento Valley Association of Building Officials, contractors, and other community groups, converging at the house for an extensive clean-out. The dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly throughout the day, making multiple trips to the landfill to dispose of construction debris and unsalvageable furnishings.
Over the following months, more than 80 local and area construction/renovation specialists, with the support of 17 home supply and repair businesses, contributed their expertise to the project. The comprehensive renovations encompassed a new roof, interior walls, a heating and air conditioning system, flooring, windows, and a fresh coat of paint. Money from the Lincoln Community Foundation Grant was used to pay for the appliances and materials.
Overwhelmed with emotions, the owner could only express, “I’m totally overwhelmed; I don’t know what to say.” Greeting her were esteemed members of the Lincoln City Council, including Dan Karleskint, Bill Lauritsen, and Ben Brown, along with smiling city code enforcement officers, members of the Sacramento Valley Association of Building Officials, contractors, community groups such as Lighthouse, Silver Wishes, and Field Haven, and other dedicated volunteers. It was not just the physical structure of the house that had been reborn, but also the sense of joy and renewed hope that filled its every corner.
Reflecting on the project’s success, Lincoln Community Foundation President Kris Knutson remarked, “The Lincoln Community Foundation was thrilled that our $25,000 grant was a major driving force propelling over 20 organizations to come forward to complete this magnificent humanitarian project!”
This heartwarming initiative stands as a testament to the power of community and the indomitable spirit that can transform lives when people come together for a common cause. The Lincoln Community Foundation was glad to play a role in helping a local Lincoln resident.