COLUMBUS -- Brenda Volkmer is giving thanks for the generosity she and her family received from friends, neighbors and even complete strangers.
Sitting on her new couch in her living room, Volkmer flipped through photographs taken of her home, looking at what it used to be and what it is now.
She said her home was in “poor” condition.
“My daughter used to call it the ghetto house,” Volkmer said.
The white paint on the outside of the home was flaking and the foundation needed work. The interior wasn’t in any better shape with stained carpet, broken windows and torn blinds.
The Columbus woman had owned the house for 10 years, but being a single-mother of three daughters and battling expenses for her cancer treatment, left no money to spend fixing the home.
They made due the best they could, knowing they couldn’t afford to right any of the problems.
As Volkmer was recuperating from cancer surgery, a fellow Federated Church member, Katie Claus, brought a meal to her home.
Claus saw the condition of the home and wanted to see if there was anything the church could do to help the Volkmer family. She spoke with the Rev. Dr. Jim Wooten at Federated and together they got the ball rolling on a renovation project on the home by enlisting the help of other parishioners.
Volkmer said she thought only a bit would be done on the house when she was told of the project, mostly work on the outside. But the church and neighborhood came together to renovate the entire home.
Over a six-week period, volunteers worked, using fundraising money and funds from church organizations and their own talent and equipment to get the project done.
Volkmer said her home feels brand new.
“It looks 100 percent better,” she said.
Claus and Tammy Gotschall, another volunteer on the project, said virtually every part of the home has been improved. The foundation was mended, the house was repainted inside and out, the walls inside were patched, plumbing was fixed, new linoleum was laid in the kitchen, windows were repaired and new furniture was added.
All of the work done was at no cost to Volkmer. The volunteers gave their own time to do the repairs and donated money to have professionals do some of the work.
The project was finished this month and all of those who worked on the home were invited to attend an open house to see the finished product. Wooten blessed the home that day, as well.
Claus said the project was not only a way to give to someone in need, but also served as a way to make the church congregation feel like a family.
Several youths were among the 20-30 volunteers. Claus said she told them the project would be a learning experience for them.
“What we told the kids was it was living the faith. It was wonderful to help in our own community,” she said.
The finished product, Claus said, is a place where Volkmer can come home and heal.
Volkmer, who lives in the two-bedroom home with her daughters, Amanda, 20, Melinda, 15, and Faith, 7, said she still can’t believe so many people, even some she had never met before, wanted to help.
“I would like to show my deep appreciation to everyone who dedicated their time and talents to help with this project. This is like an early Christmas present,” she said.
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