ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Roughly 10,000 volunteers across the country are helping to fix up their neighbors’ houses — for free — as part of National Rebuilding Day.
This year, Rebuilding Together is focusing on veterans in need.
In Alexandria roughly 800 volunteers have assisted their fellow residents by making free repairs to 40 homes across the city.
“There are people in need and there’s a way to help them,” volunteer Mike Coughlan said, as he led one team’s fix up of Seymore Holder’s home.
Holder has lived in his home for about 50 years after serving in the military and raised his family there. Now, his daughter and grandchildren live with him and his poor health keeps him from making many of his home’s necessary repairs himself.
“It means a great deal to me,” Holder told WTOP. “I can’t afford it. I’m on disability. I’m on a fixed income.”
About 10 volunteers worked on his home, fixing leaks, replacing patio railings and installing a new microwave donated by Sears.
“The help that we provide helps keep citizens like Mr. Holder in their home,” Coughlan said. He believes it keeps a city like Alexandria a diverse and welcoming community. He also said volunteering on a project like this is just about as rewarding as it comes.
Rebuilding Together Alexandria has worked on more than 1,800 projects since it began nearly 30 years ago.
