Who We've Helped
Mr. Alphonso Johnson
Mr. Johnson enlisted in the United States Army in 1943 and served in World War II until his term ended tragically in 1946. Mr. Johnson received a shrapnel blast to the face which resulted in deteriorating eye site. Today, Mr. Johnson is legally blind.
The home that Mr. Johnson currently lives in was purchased in the late 1960’s. Due to limited income and financial hardship, his home had not received any of the much needed repairs and modifications. Mr. Johnson and his two adult children were forced to make their own modifications to support Mr. Johnson’s late wife who used a wheelchair. The family was also forced to live with no hot water, heat, and a hole in the kitchen floor.
Through the help of Rebuilding Together’s Veterans Housing Initiative, Mr. Johnson’s home received a new roof, new flooring throughout the house, new heating and air conditioning systems and a new safe and accessible bathroom. Rebuilding Together also gutted the kitchen and installed new counters, cabinets, sink, and appliances, painted the interior and exterior of the house, replaced the windows with new vinyl energy-efficient units, and built a ramp leading to the entrance of his home.
Sgt. Christopher Edwards
Sgt. Edwards was stationed in the Sunni Triangle in Iraq in early 2005. His unit went on daily security patrols throughout the region. In April 2005, Sgt. Edwards volunteered to fill in for an ill soldier and was sent to investigate reports of insurgents planting bombs. While riding in his M2A2 Bradley fighting vehicle, Sgt. Edwards and his group came to a dirt covered bridge. While crossing the bridge a 500 pound bomb exploded beneath his vehicle igniting the gun turret where Sgt. Edwards stood. His platoon sergeant threw him out of the tank and it was then that Sgt. Edwards made it to the canal near the bridge and extinguished himself in six inches of water. The explosion left Sgt. Edwards with 3rd degree burns covering 79 percent of his body.
Rebuilding Together provided the following modifications at the Edwards home: a master bathroom remodel to include a zero entry shower, replacement of carpeting with wood flooring, widening of doorways and entry ways and the addition of wheel chair ramps, making the home wheelchair accessible.
Sgt Jonathan VanderWert
Sgt. Jonathan VanderWert and his wife, Blake, moved out of the city and into a small town in hope of creating a better living environment for their combined family of nine children. In order to find a house large enough to accommodate everyone with only limited income the VanderWerts chose an older home in need of major repairs and remodeling. Handy around the house, Sgt. VanderWert was confident that he would be able to turn the house into the one they always dreamed about. That all changed in August of 2007 when Jonathan was called into active duty with the Minnesota National Guard and began serving a 15 month tour in Iraq. Time and money were against the family and Jonathan was forced to leave his family with several projects left unfinished and essential repairs remaining.
The Vanderwert family was forced to live in undesirable conditions while Jonathan serves in Iraq. Many of the rooms in the home were missing walls and ceilings, there were exposed electrical wires, and only one bathroom was functioning. With the assistance of Rebuilding Together, the VanderWert family was able to receive the much needed repairs to their home. Volunteers gutted and remodeled the home to make it safe, warm, and dry for Sgt. VanderWert and his family.
Benjamin Cofer
Mr. Cofer is a World War II veteran who joined the Army in January of 1940. He served until the end of the war in April of 1945. Upon his return, he enlisted in the Marine Reserves until he was honorably discharged in 1952. Mr. Cofer is now 80 years old and has recently had a leg amputation. He relies on his wheelchair to get around. Due to his limited income, Mr. Cofer was not able to pay for the necessary modifications to be made to his home. The biggest obstacle of all was the set of 10 steps leading from the front door to the street. As a result, Mr. Cofer was not able get out of his home safely.
Rebuilding Together provided Mr. Cofer with a handicap accessible bathroom as well as a chair lift that would safely take him from his front door to the street level. The repairs and modifications made to his home will allow Mr. Cofer to safely age in place.
Victor Virga
Victor Virga served our country as a Chief Petty Officer First Class in the Navy during the early 1940’s. As a Seabee Mr. Virga was part of the invasion of France. Mr. Virga is now 104 years old and living in a house that he built himself. Up until 2006, Mr. Virga spent his free time playing on a softball team in his community. Now, Mr. Virga has a full-time caregiver and can no longer maintain his home. Rebuilding Together’s Sacramento affiliate installed grab bars inside of his home, repaired his doors and fence, and painted the exterior of Mr. Virga’s home.