Evelyn needed repairs on her roof. She wasn't sure how she was going to get the help needed, but she knew she wasn't going to leave her home. She has lived in her home almost 60 years. "Isn't that amazing?" she asked us. She has so many family memories there with her two children and late husband. Evelyn lost her husband after 61 years of marriage to dementia. "It was really hard. We always did things together. It had been years since we had done anything to our home," she said. "There was things that needed to be done, and I felt like the roof was needing it bad."
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There was a hole in her roof and water was leaking into her home, right over her woodstove. So when she found out about Habitat for Humanity Greater Cincinnati's Repair Program, she gave their number a call.
"It was a very fast [process]," she said. Once she called, within weeks a Habitat Repair Coordinator was at her house to take a look at what needed to be done. Evelyn was able to get new gutters, gutter guards, and all necessary roof repairs. "I don't have to worry about the roof ever leaking. They did a tremendous job."
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"I get real tender-eyed and start to cry because there's a roof up above me that I don't have to worry about anymore!" Evelyn can now safely stay in her home knowing her roof is fixed. "I won't have to leave here. You know, I'm getting to the age where I don't want to have to leave. This is home."
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Evelyn spoke highly of our Repair Team saying how kind and caring they were. They took the time to get to know her and check in on her. "I can't praise Habitat for Humanity enough. It's been a joy to me. You all have been so helpful to me." Evelyn had such a wonderful experience working with our Repair Team that she now keeps our coordinator's business cards handy to give out. She's referred her friends to our program, helping them to get their own necessary roof repairs as well. "I would stand up on the roof if I could get up there and say how nice [Habitat for Humanity] has been."
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Evelyn enjoys puzzles, books, and gardening. "I love flowers," she told us. She has a beautiful garden and even raises chickens in her backyard. She has 4 chickens that she calls "her girls" named Flo, Ivy, Pattycake, and Joy. Evelyn also loves being connected with her neighbors and community. "We watch out for everyone." She gives back through her love of cooking. "I cook for three church families," she said. Now that her roof repairs are complete, Evelyn can continue to do the things she loves safely in her forever home.
"I am so thankful. I feel like [this] was a blessing from God. If I can tell anyone, that is the best thing that's happened in my lifetime."
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