In the heart of Houston, a heartwarming tale of community, compassion, and collaboration has unfolded. Jessie Lara, a 91-year-old Korean War veteran and a cherished member of the Houston community, saw his aging home rejuvenated through the collective efforts of volunteers and local organizations. This inspiring story is not just about repairing a house; it's about honoring Jessie's service and showcasing the powerful impact of community solidarity.

Jessie's Journey Home

Our journey with Jessie Lara began when we learned about his deep connection to Houston. After serving in the military, Jessie embarked on a life as a truck driver, exploring the world but always holding Houston dear to his heart. Living in his house since the 1960s, it became clear that his cherished home needed more than just minor repairs.

The Call for Help

It all began with a concern over high water bills, leading Jessie’s niece, Betty Gonzalaz, to reach out for help. This simple act of care uncovered a myriad of challenges in Jessie's home. Amy Davis, an investigative reporter at Channel 2 KPRC, played a pivotal role in bringing these issues to light, setting the stage for a larger community intervention.

A Community Effort

The restoration of Jessie's home became a mission embraced by many. The Restoration Team and other organizations orchestrated a comprehensive makeover of his residence. The project included extensive renovations, from insulation and new windows to essential structural repairs. The outpouring of support was overwhelming, with over 200 volunteers dedicating thousands of hours to bring warmth and safety back to Jessie's home.

Welcoming Jessie Home

The homecoming was a moment of pure joy and celebration. After five months away, Jessie was welcomed back with open arms by a gathering of family, friends, volunteers, and representatives from the organizations that had contributed to his home's transformation. It was a true testament to the spirit of community and the impact of collective action.

The Impact of Giving

Jessie's newly restored home is a tangible symbol of the difference that volunteer work and donations can make. It stands as a beacon of hope and a clear demonstration of how, together, we can improve lives. The efforts of each volunteer and every organization involved have given Jessie a comfortable, dignified, and safe living environment.

Each donation, each volunteered hour, contributes to stories like Jessie's, transforming lives and building stronger communities. Your support is crucial in enabling us to continue making such profound differences. We invite you to join us in these life-changing efforts.

Special Thanks to Supporting Organizations

The project received invaluable support from various organizations:

• Boots for Troops, a local charity, dropped by Lara’s home to check in on how they can help. It was the heat of summer and they noticed his home was hot. Lara needed some electrical work done before he could get a new air conditioner. To keep him cool in the meantime, volunteers went to Home Depot and got a portable air conditioner donated to help him stay cool.

• 24/7 Plumbing Company out of Katy stepped up to re-pipe Lara’s entire house.

• Comcast gave Lara credits on his cable bill and donated a big-screen TV for his home.

• Harris County Veteran Services paid Lara’s remaining water and gas bills.

• Cover HVAC donated the HVAC unit and installed the unit.

• Addtionally, Houston veteran Michael Main set up this GoFundMe account to help Lara. Main stopped by Lara’s house to give him a check for more than $2,200+.

• Retrofoam - insulated the walls

• Grass Knuckles Lawn Care, Conroe - cleaned the entire yard including the overgrown fence line area.

• Gotcha Covered – Northwest Houston - donated blinds for windows

• Upton Electrical Contracting LLC (uptonec.com) - donated all electrical wiring supplies and paid for permitting.

  Electrician Jason Aguilar and his son donated their time and spent two weeks rewiring the entire home.

• Sherwin-Williams Paint Store - Humble, TX #707319 - donated paint for the home

Conclusion

Jessie Lara's story is a powerful illustration of what we can achieve together. His revitalized home is not just a structure of bricks and mortar; it's a testament to community strength, compassion, and the human spirit. Let's continue to harness this power and make a difference in more lives.

We encourage you to be part of our ongoing mission to transform lives. Please use the form to donate or learn more about volunteering for our upcoming projects. Your support can be the catalyst for the next inspiring story!

Keep in mind these cost to repair a 1,200 square foot house: $46,750

• FOUNDATION $8,800

• ROOF $9,000

• PLUMBING $8,000

• ELECTRIC $9,000

• INSULATION $1,700

• DRYWALL $2,000

• PAINT $2,400

• FLOORING $3,150