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Help needed renovating fallen veteran's family's hom

564 views · Published 19 August 2015 · 3:26 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2015 · News & Politics

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BELLEVUE, Ky. (Joe Webb) -- When Michael Barrett set out to renovate the family home of fallen soldier Russell Madden, he thought it would take 90 days. I wouldve never dreamed this project would take this long, a frustrated Barrett said from the Maddens half-finished living room. Barrett uses donated materials and volunteer labor to renovate the homes of families whose loved ones are killed in action. He has collected all the supplies he needs to renovate the Maddens home but cant find the workers to do the work. I focused so much on material for this house because I knew we needed so much. Didnt so much figure on labor and volunteers because I figured theyd show up. Barrett relocated Maddens family to a hotel in May and figured hed be done by now.  His new goal is to complete the project in 30 days.  Barrett says hes already collected about 60,000 in building materials and donated labor. The only material he needs to complete the job is some furniture, doors and appliances. But Barrett desperately needs siding workers, painters and concrete finishers.  Tuesday morning, August 18, the only worker on-site was a volunteer tile man. Last weekend, Barrett got a boost from Give Back Cincinnati. They provided a dozen volunteers who prepared the backyard for concrete, decking and fencing. We were busting up concrete and levelling out the yard, said Give Back Cincinnatis Lauren Doyle. Physically busting up a deck and moving a shed and doing a lot of outdoor work. Doyle says Give Back Cincinnati will have more volunteers on-site for the next two weekends. Theyve also recruited additional help from some students at UC and Crossroads Community Church. She encourages people to visit their website, www.givebackcincinnati.org, and sign up to volunteer. Barrett says the Maddens will essentially have a new home when the project is finished. They have added new drywall to every room, installed new wiring and HVAC and oak hardwood flooring on the entire first floor. The kitchens and bathrooms will have granite counter tops.  All of it donated and installed by donated labor.   Barrett is frustrated the work isnt done yet but is happy with the project, I wouldnt say its a struggle because really its not.  At the end of the day, it makes you feel good as a person for what youre doing for a family thats lost so much. If you would like to donate or volunteer, you can reach Michael Barrett via email at [email protected]. Follow Joe Webb on Twitter @joewebbwkrc, and LIKE him on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @Local12 and LIKE us on Facebook for updates!

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