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Lee BIA Builders Care was started in 2005. The first project was launched in February of 2006 in Pine Island, Florida for a remarkable disabled man. As of July 2010, Builders Care has completed 60 projects, serving dozens of individuals and families throughout Lee County. Through our partnerships with building industry members, Builders Care has hit a milestone, providing over $1 Million in construction services to local homeowners.
Builders Care projects range anywhere from rebuilding steps, wheelchair ramps, providing handicap accessibility in bathrooms and throughout homes, to complete re-models of homes for health and safety purposes. Building partners of all types as well as community groups volunteer their time, materials and labor to help make these projects a success. Builders Care relies on these partnerships to assist the most neediest individuals in our community. Without the collaboration of the community and strong building partnerships, Builders Care would simply not exist.
July 2010- Fort Myers, Florida -- Another home makeover has been completed for a 78-year-old man living in a 50+ year old home in Fort Myers, Florida. The project was completed in just nine days and renovations are to included new floors,roof, paint, kitchen, bathroom, fixtures and more. With help from a partnership through the State Housing Initiatives Program hosted by the City of Fort Myers and Builders Care building partners, the home received renovation services totaling more than $45,000.
Special Thanks to all our building partners on our latest home makeover.
| DE Moff Construction |
Abash Enterprises |
| Cape Coral Plumbing |
T & M Portable Restrooms |
| Harbor Springs Building Company |
Nilles Design |
| Totally Detailed Renovation Services |
Wayne Wiles Floor Coverings |
| Sherwin Williams |
HideAway Storage |
| Gulfcoast Engineering |
Universal Engineering |
Other contributing companies include A-Rite Glass, Cabinets Plus, Cornerstone Construction, D. Peck Roofing, Mark's Dumpsters, Murphy's Handyman Services, Raymond Building Supply, JTE Electric, Sunset Air and TPI Aluminum
Recent Builders Care projects:
pictured from left: Peter St. Louis, service technician for Modern Service for Home & Business, with Cynthia and her daughter, Lilly, Sarah and John Penna.
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July 2010 - Cape Coral, Florida
John Penna, 57, has suffered with colon cancer since 1997. Most recently, John developed a major bacterial infection caused by the extreme heat within his home. The Penna family completed several repair jobs on the air conditioning unit over the past few years. However, two months ago when the unit went out again, the Penna family was in dire straits.
On July 9, volunteers sponsored by Builders Care, the charitable agency of the Lee Building Industry Association (BIA), sent out a call for help to its BIA members. Almost immediately, a local community member stepped forward to offer a helping hand. Jim Glennon, president of Florida operations for Modern & Anderson Service for Home & Business, responded and in less than one week, the Penna residence had air conditioning. Modern & Anderson Service for Home & Business provided all of the labor and needed materials to make this happen. |
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July 2010 - Harlem Heights, Fort Myers, Florida
Builders Care recently partnered with high school students on a mission trip through the Church of the Messiah UMC from Westerville, Ohio to paint three homes in Southwest Florida. This group travels twice a year to perform community service projects throughout the eastern United States. This summer’s mission trip brought them to the Harlem Heights community in South Fort Myers where they partnered with Builders Care, United Way and the Harlem Heights Improvement Association.
Sherwin-Williams provided all of the paint to complete the three homes. The homes were painted in just four days. Additional materials were provided by Scott Paint Corporation.
Recipients included a Lee County School District employee and two other local families in need.
pictured left: Bill Tayler, Anthony Mossocco, Tunner Penbrook of Sherwin Williams Paint Company Metro Store, Fort Myers. |
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Bathroom Before
Bathroom After
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June 2010- Fort Myers, Florida
A massive home renovation for an elderly woman living in Dunbar began June 14th as volunteers with the Lee Building Industry Association’s Builders Care launch their largest project of 2010. The recipient of the extreme home makeover was Dorothy House, a 63-year-old single woman who lives in a small home off Edison Avenue where she cares for two teenage grandchildren that were sharing one bedroom.
The project was completed in just two weeks and renovations included new floors, paint, kitchen, bathroom, fixtures and more. With help from a partnership through the State Housing Initiatives Program, hosted by the City of Fort Myers and Builders Care building partners, the home received renovation services totaling more than $65,000.
NBC-2 Story |
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Ron, Susan and sons, Ronald and Michael.
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May 2010 - The Lanzetta Family, Lehigh Acres
All Ronald, a former State of Florida Sergeant, wanted was a healthy home for his family, sons Ronald, Jr., 12, and Michael, 11, and his wife of more than 20 years, Susan.
Ron, at the young age of 29, was diagnosed with Multiple Schlerosis (MS). Shortly there after Ron was diagnosed with the worst form of MS, Secondary Progressive. Over the past 10 years, the disease has taken its toll further causing unreliable vision, loss of balance, memory problems and ultimately forcing him into retirement on disability.
The family's home was ill-equipped for mobility for Ron in his walker and eventually his wheelchair. The roof was still suffering with damage since Hurricane Charley and the bathrooms need updating for handicap accessibility.
On May 14, Builders Care, the nonprofit arm of the Lee Building Industry Association in partnership with Lee County State Housing Initiatives Program, completed construction valued at more than $25,000 on the family's home, located in Lehigh Acres.
*This project was partially funded by Lee County Department of Community Development and the State Housing Initiatives Program.
Special Thanks to all our building partners on our latest home makeover. |
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6 Days 6 Ramps Project - Southwest Florida
Builders Care joined other local not-for-profit organizations across Florida will build wheelchair ramps for persons with disabilities who have low incomes in celebration of National AmeriCorps Week. The 2010 6 Days 6 Ramps Community Service Project took place in Daytona Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Kissimmee, Sarasota and Winter Park.
Builders Care partnered with the Center for Independent Living, Salvation Army and others to provide multiple ramps to individuals and families in Southwest Florida. Builders Care with the help of Lee BIA member, Tom Killingsworth of Harbor Springs Building Company, provided two ramps for a Lehigh Acres girl. Caroline, 12, suffers with congenital muscular dystrophy and confined to a wheelchair. Most recently, she underwent tracheotomy surgery for a ventilator that runs 24 hours a day to help her breathe.
Special thanks to Harbor Springs Building Company and all our non-profit partners for making a difference in the lives of many in our communities.
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May 2010 - Marian Gann, Cape Coral
Marian Gann, 78, has suffered with muscular dystrophy since birth. Gann is bound to her wheelchair and her bed. Due to her lack of mobility, she can no longer get into the bathroom to take a shower.
Throughout the week of May 3rd, volunteers sponsored by Builders Care, the charitable agency of the Lee Building Industry Association, completely remodeled the bathroom and shower for Gann. Bathroom is complete with wheelchair accessible floors, sink and shower, as well as custom built-in bench and more.
Villa Homes of SWFL headed up the team of sub-contractors including Abash Enterprises, Allied Portables, Cape Coral Plumbing, Harbor Springs Building Company, Jamestown Painting, Mark’s Dumpsters, Nilles Design, Sherwin Williams and Wayne Wiles Floor Coverings. All labor and materials were provided for at no cost to Mrs. Gann.
  
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April 2010 - Betty & Charles Lamy, Lehigh Acres
Betty and Charles Lamy have been best friends for more than 50 years. Charles is now Beth’s full-time caregiver. Beth, 71, suffers from lung cancer, dementia and thyroid problems. Before Builders Care and partners built the ramp, Charles had to carry his wife to the car for doctor's appointments.
In just one day, Harbor Springs Building Company built a ramp for the Lehigh Acres couple. To read more click here
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The Castro Family learns about all that happened at the house over a week's time.
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December 2009 - The Castro Family, Fort Myers
Numerous Lee BIA members and local sub-contractors came together to help a local firefighter, his
son who suffers with muscular dystrophy and the rest of his family. In a collaborative effort between Builders Care,
BIA members, local contractors, volunteers removed the existing and re-installed a new roof, soffit, gutters and
fascia , provide paint, a new driveway and more. Local companies donated more than $40,000 worth of work
for free and this family has a safe and healthy home for the holidays!
NBC-2 Coverage Click Here
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December 2009 - Steve Lewis gets a new roof! This Christmas, Steve is got the gift that keeps on giving with a brand new roof. Santa's elves from Camp-Rigby Roofing-Sheet Metal Contractors stuffed their sleigh with shingles this year! The Camp-Rigby Roofing team showed up by the dozens with tools instead of toys to help a local neighbor in need with a new roof for the holidays. Thank you Camp-Rigby!
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Ft. Myers City Manager William Mitchell hands Mrs. Jackson the keys to her newly renovated safe and healthy home.
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December 2009 - Mamie Jackson and her son were in desperate need of home repairs including crumbling stairs, cabinets and more. In just one week right before Christmas, Builders Care partners re-built their home. Volunteers went above and beyond to include Christmas decorations and gifts under the Christmas tree. Check out the emotional homecoming in the photo gallery.
This project was made possible by numerous volunteers and a partnership with the City of Fort Myers Community Development Department.
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November 2009 - John Rohal, 73, has had multiple medical issues over his lifetime. He served in the Vietnam War, airborne division, where he was shot multiple times. He survived the ordeal only to later suffer two debilitating strokes, triple by-pass surgery, and most recently a fall that lead to head and vision injury. His mobility continued to worsen and now he frequently uses his wheelchair to get around. On Monday, Nov. 30, volunteers built a ramp for Mr.Rohal. Harbor Springs Construction and Development provided all of the labor and Shoreline Lumber supplied all of the needed materials to make this happen. Builders Care recycled a portion of a previously constructed ramp to re-use materials and keep extra materials from ending up in a local landfill.
 
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September 2009 - Maria was in dire need of help with exterior paint on her home. Mold was growing all around her house. Maria suffers with Multiple Sclerosis. Together with BIA member volunteers, sub-contractors and students from Bishop Verot High School, her home was painted in just a few short hours. Special thanks to all those involved!
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August 2009 - Sean Brunelle is like any other 8-year old boy – wide eyed, funny and full of life. But he is unlike most children because he suffers from a rare disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type III (SMA) also known as Kugelberg-Welander Disease. This is disease causes the loss of nerve cells in the spinal cord affecting his control voluntary muscle movement – things like walking, running, jumping are very difficult for Sean. SMA also causes dangerous respiratory issues and brittle bones. Sean's parents requested a sidewalk be put in so Sean would have an easier time walking in and out of the home up the steep hill that was there. Thanks to a few BIA member companies, Sean got that sidewalk he desperately needed. Special thanks to the following companies for helping to make a difference for a Lehigh Acres child in need.
  
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August 2009 - Steve was in dire need of home repairs. He is paralyzed from the waist down from a major accident and although he does quite well on his own, he cannot keep up with all the needs of his home. Thanks to several BIA members, local sub-contractors and volunteers, we were able to provide Steve with a re-built car-port, new screen enclosure, exterior paint, landscaping and more.
Special Thanks to all our participating companies:
| Aqua Systems |
Nilles Design |
| Bradford Plastering |
ProBuild |
| Creative Landscape & Design |
Scott Paint Corporation |
| D.E. Moff Construction |
Sherwin Williams |
| Eagle Ready Mix |
The Home Depot |
| GulfCoast Engineering, LLC |
TPI Aluminum |
| Harbor Springs Construction |
McDonalds |
| Jamestown Painting |
Bishop Verot Catholic High School |
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August 2009 - Mary Jones is a 78 year old woman living in the City of Fort Myers. She has lived in the community almost all of her life and when offered help she only takes what she absolutely needs. She says, "My carpet is old, but there is nothing wrong with it. Give it to someone else who needs it worse than me." Mary was in dire need of a new front window due to a crack in the glass that kept getting worse. Thanks to BIA members, New Code Windows and Doors, a new window was provided and installed. Thank you New Code Windows & Doors!
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August 2009 - On Aug. 11th, Rita Smell, a 74 year old Lehigh Acres woman got the ramp she desperately needed. She suffered a major leg injury when she was hit by an unlicensed driver leaving her wheelchair bound. After spending several thousands of dollars in repairs to make her bathroom handicap accessible, her family had no other funds for a wheelchair ramp. Special thanks to Jim and Mike Osterling for coming to the rescue. Jim, a project manager, and his son, Mike, on summer break from the University of Florida Construction School, built the ramp in just a few hours. A very special thank you to Jim and Mike! |
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July 2009 - On July 10th, Linda and Shane got a knock on the door from Builders Care building partners and volunteers ready to work on their house. Shane and Linda, as well as their nurses, were blessed with two new wheelchair ramps, a brand window, doors and more. Volunteers worked relentlessly to remove a dozen bags of weeds and provide new landscaping for the family. Thank you to all of our building partners and volunteers!
  
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May 2009 - Ada Mae or Mama Williams as she is called by most, has been a part of the Dunbar community for over 50 years. She has sat on many neighborhood community task forces and is a staple within the community. Living alone and still in the same house, it needed air conditioning and plumbing work. Thanks to the following companies for coming to save the day!
 
 
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May 2009 - On May 7 & 8, Miss Ruth got a wonderful surprise when the team from West Coast Structural Concrete and Masonry showed up to pour her a new sidewalk and ramp. Miss Cody could not get out of her own alone due to a recent amputation due to diabetes. Thank you!
  
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March & April 2009 Ramps Up! - On March 28 and throughtout the month of April, Builders Care with the help of several BIA members and community supporters, built 10 wheelchair ramps throughout Lee County for needy homeowners. The program wwas partially funded by Southwest Florida Community Foundation and supplies were matched by Suncoast Contractor's Supply. The value of the ramps totaled more than $21,000. Special thanks to all our participating companies.
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March 2009 - Beginning in March 3, with the help of local builder, Stevens Construction and other sub-contractors, the Tanksley residence was completely gutted. One of the largest renovations to date. Mary Lou Tanksley is an 86 year old great grandmother who has raised numerous grandchildren. She suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis. Currently she walks with a cane because her home does not accommodate her wheelchair. Currently, she is raising two great grandchildren – one that suffers from down syndrome. Previously, her home had seriousroof compromises due to a fire, no handicap accessibility, no central air conditioning or heat, and dilapidated windows and kitchen cabinets. In just 14 days, their lives were changed. Thank you!
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October 2008 -
Former Teacher Receives Much Needed Home Makeover Builders Care and volunteers gave back to a big-hearted Fort Myers woman. Beginning Oct. 6, Builders Care, with the help of local sub-contractors, assisted in the remodeling of the home of Henry Mae Jackson, a Fort Myers woman, who throughout her adult life, served as a teacher and who still tutors students out of her home in East Fort Myers. “Because of the limited funding through projects for the City of Fort Myers, Mrs. Jackson may have been turned away if Builders Care had not stepped up to help her out,” said Heidi Davis, executive director for Builders Care. Builders Care partners will provide a new kitchen, new appliances and all new flooring to order to finish out the newly renovated home. |
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September 2008 -
When it rains, it really poured at 69-year-old Jeannette Williams’ home. Her sagging and leaky roof was not holding up well to the excessive rain brought by Fay and Ike. Williams, who is the sole caregiver for her mentally challenged daughter and grandson, and who volunteers as a reading tutor, first contacted the City of Fort Myers for help in the fall of 2007. In a collaborative effort between Builders Care, the State Housing Initiatives Program through the City of Fort Myers, and local building subcontractors, volunteers installed a new roof, windows and air conditioning. They also addressed the dangerous leaks and rebuilt the kitchen among other things. The project was completed in just one week - making it one of the quickest projects ever. |
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August 2008
All Darlene wants is a safe and healthy home in which to raise her two young grandchildren. Thanks to local contractor, Brooks and Freund, she now has a beautiful safe and healthy home. In a home once owned by her parents, Darlene has watched the rain pour inside the old dining room for years. Roof damage during Hurricane’s Charley and Wilma led to severe water damage in various areas of the home leaving those parts closed off including the dining area where they have never had a meal as a family. With the help of local contractor, Brooks and Freund and local sub-contractors, renovations included a new roof, windows, and air conditioning. They also rebuilt the kitchen and bathroom among other things. The project was completed in just 14 days. Special Thanks to all participating companies and volutneers for helping to make a difference in our community. |
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June 2008
With the help of local contractor, Owen-Ames-Kimball Company, Builders Care will have provided over $500,000 in construction services to elderly and disabled adults in Lee County. Claudia suffers from congestive heart disease. Her home was in much disrepair. Owen-Ames-Kimball Company, Builders Care and local sub-contractors installed a new roof, windows, and air conditioning. They also rebuilt the kitchen and bathrooms among other things. The project was complete in just 12 days. Special Thanks to these companies for helping to make a difference in our community. |
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May 2008
Members of the Lee BIA came together in May to help an elderly couple with emergency home repairs. Builders Care helped to repair a leak in a pipe that caused severe water damage and mold growth in their home. Cape Coral Plumbing repaired the leak and replaced fixtures. Serv Pro of Collier County/ Ft. Myers South provided the mold remediation. Lee Drywall replaced the drywall and drywall supplies were provided thanks to Cemex. Berchtold Builders put in the new trim and volunteers painted the walls and floor. And Dominos provided the food for our volunteers. Special Thanks to all our building industry partners and our volunteers! |
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April 2008
Abbie Ivery could not use her washer or dryer due to aging electrical and plumbing issues in her utility room. Failing window air conditioning units are all she has in the hot summer months, and her lights work only some of the time. Everyday life is difficult for Ivery, 63, who works nights as a residential caregiver for autistic adults. Builders Care, McGarvey Development, local building subcontractors and volunteers installed a new roof, windows and air conditioning and they also addressed the hazardous electrical issues and rebuilt the kitchen. McGarvey Development also donated a new porch, furniture and more. After just a few short weeks, Abbie was brought home to her newly remodeled home. |
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February 2008
Members of the Lee BIA came together in February to help Fannie with home repairs. Because of her severe diabetes, Fannie had trouble using the bath tub in her one bath home. Builders Care with the help of Cape Coral Plumbing, Ferguson Enterprises and Quality Cabinets, gutted her bathroom and put in a walk-in shower to help with her mobility. Other companies also provided carpeting, interior and exterior paint, landscaping and more. In just three days, Fannie was welcomed back to her newly re-finished home. |
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January 2008
Members of the Lee BIA came together just after the holidays to help Linda, an ex-foster mom with much-needed repairs on her home. Linda had water coming in the back of her home due to a rotting exterior wall. Builders Care with the help of more than 24 companies, worked on Linda's home. In just three days, Linda received a safe and healthy home complete with a new driveway, wall, exterior paint, landscape and more. |
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February 2008
George had a stroke and could no longer walk on his own or up the stairs into his home. His only way into his home was with the assistance of his wife and two neighbors each time he had a doctors appointment. Builders Care with the help of Berchtold Builders, Inc. and several volunteers built a ramp to help him be more independent and help his recovery. |
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December 2007
Bringing tools instead of toys, Builders Care along with MW Johnson Construction remodeled the bathroom of this man. Brian had not been able to use the bathroom in his home for over 2 years since his deterioration with Muscular Dystrophy. With the tremendous assistance from MW Johnson Construction, Inc., Brian was able to get a roll in shower for Christmas. In just 3 days, work was completed including gutting the existing bathroom to make it handicap accessible, some landscaping and more. |
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May 2007
Rosemary took care of her two children, both disabled, every day. Her home was quickly deteriorating and it showed in the 3 hours it took her to do one load of laundry. Her water pressure was so bad that Rosemary kept dozens of jugs of waters throughout the home to use for baths, dishes and other things. Builders Care, Engle Homes and dozens of its subcontractors gutted the entire home down to the slab and exterior walls and rebuilt it in just 8 short days. |
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