Volunteers Make Gulfport's First Rebuild Day a Success

"I'm not a cryer . . . but then I saw them," Dorothy Everett said.

Everett was overwhelmed when a group of volunteers showed up at her doorstep on National Rebuild Day, Saturday, April 28.

"When I saw them pull up it really set in," Everett said.

The 59-year-old Gulfport homeowner was especially touched when she saw teens come out to help.

"There are so many young people," she said.

About a dozen people, including members of the Gulfport Teen Council and So49 helped tear down Everett's fence, paint her home, replace doors and patch up a whole in her ceiling. Shon Boswell Contracting Services helped replace her roof as well.

Everett was one of four Gulfport homeowners who received help from the community.

In addition to Dorothy Everett, Eileen Hilliard, Barbara Cunningham and Alan Dreischarf were chosen as this year's recipients.

"They're doing a real nice job," Dreischarf said.

Volunteers not only helped landscape and paint Dreischarf's home, but they repaired his kitchen and bathroom, installing a new sink.

"I have a lot more room with that sink," Dreischarf said. More room means easier maneuvering for Dreischarf's walker.

Susanne Van Selow helped with Dreischarf's home and says she's been coming out since 2008.

"We enjoy it," Selow said.

Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay has been repairing homes for those in need for more than a decade and this year, organizers expanded their effort into Gulfport.

"It's a fantastic community event," Gulfport resident and volunteer Jeri Reed said.

Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay provides services to very low income, elderly, disabled homeowners, including veterans and families with children, according to their website.

Organizers say about 175 people came out to help with rebuild projects in Gulfport and St. Pete on National Rebuild Day. For more information on how you can get invovled, check out their website and Facebook page.