Two-week home remodel completed at no cost to family in need
A North Fort Myers family can officially call this a holiday season to remember thanks to a once-in-a-lifetime gift from Lee BIA Builders Care and Lennar.
The organizations partnered to perform the ultimate holiday miracle in just 14 days: a home renovation that exceeded the family’s expectations, with the improvements revealed to the family just in time for the holidays.
Erica Tague, a dedicated single mother of three, is raising her children with immense courage and resilience. Two of her children have been diagnosed with autism, and her 16-year-old son also battles epilepsy, scoliosis, and eosinophilic esophagitis. Recently, Tague reached out to Builders Care, seeking assistance with her failing air conditioning system.
During a site visit, it became clear to Builders Care that the needs of this family extended beyond just air conditioning. The home required significant improvements, including the installation of interior doors and frames, lighting fixtures, flooring and more. When the Tague family entered their home on Dec. 18, they were met with new pool equipment, replaced hurricane shutters, new windows, kitchen cabinets, five flat-screen TVs, all new appliances, brand-new plumbing and electric, a fresh coat of paint, revamped landscaping, and an fourth bedroom for Erica with a hallway leading into it.
“This all started with an air conditioner,” said Erica Tague. “This will be the best Christmas ever, no matter what. Nothing will ever live up to this.”
Ray Kershaw, director of construction for Lennar, said that when he asked Tague if there was anything that she desired in her home, she said “a new kitchen.” To her surprise, she and her children arrived home after a two-week hotel stay to a fully remodeled kitchen with appliances and a fully stocked pantry, but also a brand-new home.
“It gives you chills to know you made such an impact on somebody’s life,” said Kershaw. “Hopefully, Erica’s family can grow in this home and find more happiness than they did before.”
Improvements and modifications were made possible thanks to the generous contribution of Lennar Homes and a number of local partner suppliers and contractors. Project partners included 84 Lumber; Accurate Grading; All American Shutters; American Woodmark Cabinets; Caloosa Cooling; Carrigan Brothers Plumbing; Clive Daniels Furniture; Coastal Waste and Recycling; DLS Frame Drywall and Stucco; Empire Electric; Fort Myers Sod; GE Appliances; GMZ Masonry; Gulf Coast Grading; HBJ Construction; Holiday Pools; Hometeam Pest Defense; HONC; John to Go; Juniper Landscaping; Lee County; Liberty Aluminum; MI Windows; Moen; Naples Hardscapes; Nash Moving; Niles Design Group; Nova Engineering; Pack Rat; PMC Painting; Raymond Building Supply; Rice Insulation and Glass; Sherwin Williams; Signs In One Day Cape Coral; Star Farms; Timberlake Cabinets; USA Grading; and Wayne Wiles Floor Covering.
“This project is far more than a repair job. It’s an opportunity to provide a hardworking mother and her three children with a fresh start and a safe, nurturing environment where they can thrive,” said Leigh Cloud, executive director of Builders Care. “We’re incredibly thankful for the generosity and support of Lennar and all of our project partners and volunteers to make this renovation possible for the Tague family in time for the holidays.”
To learn more about Builders Care and its mission, visit LeeBuildersCare.org.
About Lee BIA Builders Care
The mission of Lee BIA Builders Care is to provide emergency construction services at no cost to needy and deserving elderly and/or disabled homeowners, and their families, who cannot obtain repairs through traditional means. Lee BIA Builders Care offers a full range of no-cost emergency construction services to improve the safety and health for needy seniors and disabled individuals of all ages by enlisting the expertise and donated services and materials of contractors, sub-contractors and businesses. To date, Lee BIA Builders Care has put more than $5 million in construction services back into the community at no cost to homeowners in need. Builders Care is funded through financial donations, grants and donated services and materials to provide emergency construction services to qualified homeowners throughout the community. Lee BIA Builders Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization under the charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association. Lee BIA Builders Care is headquartered at 6835 International Center Blvd. #4 in Fort Myers. Donations can be made online at www.LeeBuildersCare.org. More information is available by calling 239-938-0056, and by following Builders Care at www.Facebook.com/LeeBuildersCare.
About Lennar Corporation
Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar’s Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title and closing services primarily for buyers of Lennar’s homes and, through LMF Commercial, originates mortgage loans secured primarily by commercial real estate properties throughout the United States. Lennar’s Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. LENX drives Lennar’s technology, innovation and strategic investments. For more information about Lennar, please visit www.lennar.com.
