Community Helps Repair Tulsa Veteran's Home

A Tulsa Army veteran is getting a home makeover. Volunteers are on a mission, spending hour after hour repairing his home.

Tuesday, October 11th 2011, 7:27 pm

By: News On 6


NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- A Tulsa Army veteran is getting a home makeover. Volunteers are on a mission, spending hour after hour repairing his home.

There's a buzz of activity around Everett Tottress' home. He was in the Army for more than two decades. But the service took its toll, he now has a hard time walking and his hands are weak from carpal tunnel syndrome.

"This is one of my good days. I'm able to walk around a little bit without my cane so this is one of my better days," Tottress said.

Tottress says his home has needed work for a long time but he just can't do it himself. That's where Rebuilding Together Tulsa enters the story.

"Our repairs focus on safety, security, and weatherproofing," said Jennifer Barcus-Shafer of the organization.

Rebuilding Together Tulsa repairs homes for low income seniors, veterans, and those living with a disability. The group recently won $15,000 from Sears to work specifically on the homes of veterans.

Last year Rebuilding Together Tulsa repaired 186 homes in our area, this year its goal is 200 homes. All the work and all the material is donated.

The volunteers are from the Tulsa County drug court and veterans court.

"I just feels good to give back. It's all about giving back to the community, helping other people," said volunteer Corey Roberts.

"It's very humbling, it's very humbling. It makes me feel like I'm doing something...I'm giving back to him but in the process I'm learning much more from him," said volunteer Tiffany Wills.

Tottress spends his days volunteering as well, giving haircuts to neighborhood kids or fixing their bicycles. He says these volunteers are a blessing and he feels lucky to have been chosen.

"What goes around comes around...you give blessings, you get back blessings," he said.

Rebuilding Together Tulsa is always looking for volunteers.

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