Green Country Families To Be Recipients Of 2 Revamped Homes

A couple of Green Country homes are being flipped out of foreclosure and into the hands of two families in need.

Volunteers gathered Saturday to give the homes a clean sweep.

The homes will go to families who might not otherwise be able to afford to buy a house.

Right now, the Metropolitan Tulsa Urban League is in the selection process, but volunteers are giving those houses some much needed TLC.

After sitting empty for months, two foreclosed homes in north Tulsa are now on the road to recovery.

"They're in very rough shape," Wells Fargo's Mark Dusza said. "Got here at 7:45 this morning and there was grass up to our chest in some areas .

Using Weed Eaters, hedge clippers and rakes, about 25 volunteers offered their helping hands to give this house a little curbside appeal.

"We're out here making sure we trim up the house so it really looks presentable," Marquetta Finley of the Metropolitan Tulsa Urban League said.

Finley is hoping to donate this home and one other by mid-August.

"We want to make sure that once they get in the home, they'll be able to keep the home and maintain the home," Finley said.

Before the keys are handed over, the families selected will go through a series of classes to help them understand the ins and outs of of home ownership.

"We want to make sure that they at least have the resources, and the education they need to stay in these homes once they get them," Finley said.

Wells Fargo donated the homes, along with $15,000 to help cover some of the renovation costs.

"In these times of financial crisis, it's very important to give back to communities, revitalize communities," she said.

And for the volunteers, they say all the painting, scrubbing and sweating on a Saturday morning was well worth it to help bring these homes back to life.

"I enjoy helping the community," volunteer Jay Cooper said. "I enjoy giving back. I think it's an important part of life."

It's a community service that will change lives.

The Metropolitan Tulsa Urban League hoping to have enough money left over to buy appliances for both homes before they're donated.

The families who get the homes will have to prove they can keep up with the tax payments and upkeep before being given the deed.