A Community Effort! Local Couple Delighted with Home Makeover

Jose and Delia Ortiz thank the Ramona Association of Realtors and all who helped on their home make-over. Photo by Darrel Kinney

By Jim Evans

It isn't easy to make ends meet when you are living on a fixed income - especially maintaining a home.

"It takes money," said Delia Ortiz, "and Social Security just doesn't go very far."

But Delia and her husband, Jose, recently received some much-needed help as the Ramona Association of Realtors, in cooperation with the non-profit organization Rebuilding Together San Diego, came to the rescue and provided the Ortiz family with a complete home makeover. More than 20 other local businesses also joined in the effort by donating funds, supplies and other services.

Jose Ortiz had originally contacted RTSD when he heard that it provided free renovations to elderly, disabled and low-income homeowners and non-profit organizations. The organization agreed to come to the rescue as part of its Rebuilding Together Day on April 29. Established and independently run since 1995, Rebuilding Together San Diego (formerly known as Christmas in April) is a 501c(3) non-profit, grassroots organization is a local affiliate of the nation's largest volunteer home rehabilitation organization.

"We are so pleased and thankful," Delia Ortiz said. "They put us up at the Ramona Valley Inn for a week, from Saturday to Saturday, and fixed up everything. They painted everything, replaced the floor and the garage door, installed new screens, repaired all kinds of things, and even brought some different furniture. They even installed new landscaping, replacing much of the grass with low-maintenance gravel. It all looks so nice."

For further information about Rebuilding Together San Diego, call (619) 231-7873 or refer to www.rebuildingtogethersd.org. All types of volunteers are needed and welcome, from skilled workers such as plumbers, electricians and carpenters, to willing volunteers to paint, clean and perform simple repairs. Kudos to the Ramona businesses and residents who responded to the call for volunteers to help the Ortiz family.