Impact Project Volunteers Give an Endicott Home a Makeover

7/28/2012 (Updated 11:03:49 PM)

After several years of waiting an Endicott family finally renovates their house as the Impact Project celebrates a major milestone.  Samantha McDonald has the story. 

"I won't be ashamed to have people in my house anymore.  I lived for years with plastic covering my dining room ceiling." said homeowner Karen Cahill.

Karen Cahill's dream of fixing her water-damaged home finally came true on Saturday.  The Impact Project provided nearly 50 volunteers to give her house a makeover.

"Homeowners apply to us. They don't have the resources, their health is not good physically, they don't have the money." said  James Willard, Director of the Impact Project.

The Impact Project not only repaired Cahill's home, but also surprised her by reuniting her with her son and grandson,  who she hasn't seen in almost 2 years.

"Seeing her face and talking to her....I really did miss her." said Aaron Mathis, Cahill's grandson.

The project was not only meaningful for the homeowner's family, but also for the volunteers. 

"It's just fun helping the community, and it's fun working and talking while doing it." said Shoshonna Warner, a volunteer.

It's the 50th family the organization has served over the past 8 years.

"We're concerned with not just the physical condition of the home for the homeowner, but the spiritual condition as well.  For the homeowner, for their family, their neighbors, the community." said Kelly Degman, a counselor at Impact Project.

The Impact Project Workers say that Ms.Cahill can enjoy her fully remodeled home by dinner time.  In Endicott, I'm Samantha McDonald, Fox 40 News.