Volunteers Surprise Family With Newly Renovated Home!

Volunteers are putting the final touches on a completely remodeled home for a deserving Wareham family, who are due to return on Saturday, May 4th at 5:00 p.m. In just one week, about 150 contractors and other volunteers turned a 750-sq-ft old house and into a brand new 1380-sq-ft handicap accessible home. Everything on the exterior and in the interior of the house was replaced, including: siding, roof, walls, floors, plumbing, electrical/light fixtures, and even landscaping. All materials and labor were donated.

The Wareham family was told only that an addition for a washer and dryer was to be installed. They were whisked away to the Cape last weekend and have no idea the enormity of the project and the surprise that awaits their return.

The house was expanded to include a brand new kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. The new bedroom features a rail-lift system connected to the bathroom for the handicapped child, who weighs close to 100 lbs. and is cared for by his 62-year-old grandmother. All three family members now have a room of their own. The home will include all new furniture appliances.

The hallways in the house have been widened to accommodate the child’s wheelchair so that he can easily get around the house; something that wasn’t possible before without the strenuous assistance of the grandmother.

The plight of this family was brought to the attention of Victor Fernandes through a connection with the Schwartz Center for Children, where the child receives services. Victor is a new member of the Schwartz Center’s Board of Directors. His own child Noah attended school at the Center for several years, until his condition progressed to the point where home-care was necessary. Recently Victor and his wife Christine established the Team Noah Foundation in honor of Noah to help families with children impacted by medical and developmental disabilities.

This project was made possible by many volunteer contractors, sub-contractors, and an army of other volunteers; lead by the Team Noah Foundation, Cameron’s Kids, and the Traver/Jordan Alves Foundation (TJA).