Story of Dorthiea Johnson
Dorthiea Johnson, 72, has lived in her home for 50 years. She is dealing with heart disease and colon problems. Seven years ago she paid a contractor to convert her back room into a bedroom and install a handicap accessible bathroom. The contractor started the job, and then he left with her money and an uncompleted job. Most of the work that was completed was substandard. The wiring was not up to code, the shower was built unproperly, and windows were poorly installed just to name a few of the repairs that needed to be redone. A Rebuilding Together volunteer referred Mrs. Johnson to Rebuilding Together and she was selected as a most deserving recipient.
With the help of a $9500 grant from Lowe's, Mrs. Johnson's renovation was competed with the assistance of many volunteers in the community. Those that contributed were: Jenco Roofing with free roof repair, OU Construction Students tore down and rebuilt the walls, Dale Putnam and John Kellerman repaired sheetrook and taping, John Griger and Pete Nathaniel worked on wall trim, Hartford Sales Office painted the new addition, "Retired Guys Ramp Builders" constructed a ramp, Holy Temple Church, which is Mrs. Johnson's Church, painted, and Casady School Service Learning Organization painted. The fifteen Casady students participated in the project on their day off from school.
"I appreciate them and am very grateful to Rebuilding Together and the volunteers. It is awesome and wonderful, and I can't believe this is happening to me. I now have my shower to walk into and be free because I always needed assistance before" said Mrs. Johnson.
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