HOME ownership month in Tulsa

With summer approaching, homebuilders are in their busiest time of year. So why would some be working on projects that contribute nothing to the bottom line? KOTV's Tami Marler shows Tulsa needs

Saturday, June 2nd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

With summer approaching, homebuilders are in their busiest time of year. So why would some be working on projects that contribute nothing to the bottom line? KOTV's Tami Marler shows Tulsa needs more good neighbors like these.

Edward Franklin, First-time Homeowner: "And I've been praying to God over the years. I wanted to be able to buy a home for my kids and you know, leave them something, so." Edward Franklin is proud to show off the first home he's ever owned. He's put a lot of his own sweat into it. Franklin: "I love it, I don't mind. I know I'm putting something in to it. It's going to be mine." He's not the only one raising the roof in this North Tulsa neighborhood. Next door, volunteers are working on another home, as part of "Neighbor-for-Neighbor's" first two-home project. Tom Eaton, Neighbor for Neighbor: "Generally, we contact the north Tulsa churches, and they agree to work on the home, they agree to pick a homeowner from their church, and they give us a small financial donation." Then Neighbor for Neighbor teams the North Tulsa Church with South Tulsa partners, in this case, Saint Mary's and Saint Pius Catholic Churches. The hard part is finding donations. "With the summer coming on, actually it is a little more difficult. Actually our volunteer base goes down, people are going off and starting new summer ventures." Kevin Summers, Cameron Ashley Building Products: "We've been so busy this year we wanted to give back to the community a little bit.We had an opportunity to help our neighbors out, and Neighbor-for-Neighbor would be a great way to do that."

This is a busy time for Cameron Ashley Building Products, but Kevin Summers says it's important to revitalize North Tulsa. That's why the company donated shingles, and Decor Construction donated labor. Boyd Smith, Decor Construction: "It gives you a good feeling in your heart; and a lot of people out there need a lot more help than people may know. So uh, just to help one of them means a lot." But it means even more to the families they help.

June is "Raise the Roof" month in Tulsa. If you're interested in volunteering youâ€™re time, talents or other resources, call Home Ownership Tulsa at 596-1500.