ALEXANDRIA, Va. 鈥� Roughly 10,000 volunteers across the country are helping to fix up their neighbors鈥� houses — for free — as part of National Rebuilding Day.
This year, 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.
鈥淭here are people in need and there鈥檚 a way to help them,鈥� volunteer Mike Coughlan said, as he led聽one team’s fix up of Seymore Holder鈥檚 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鈥檚 necessary repairs himself.
鈥淚t means a great deal to me,鈥� Holder told 草莓传媒. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 afford it. I鈥檓 on disability. I鈥檓 on a fixed income.鈥�
About 10 volunteers worked on his home,聽fixing leaks, replacing patio railings and installing a new microwave donated by Sears.
鈥淭he help that we provide helps keep citizens like Mr. Holder in their home,鈥� Coughlan said. 聽He believes聽it keeps a city like Alexandria a diverse and welcoming community. He also聽said聽volunteering on a project like this is just about as rewarding as it comes.
has worked on more than 1,800 projects since it began nearly 30 years ago.
