Natalie's Everyday Heroes: Sheboygan nonprofit helps neighbors with home repairs

 

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A nonprofit in Sheboygan County recently reached out to CBS 58 to help them get the word out.

Rebuilding Together Sheboygan County makes home repairs for free, and the organization wants to help more people. CBS 58 recently got the chance to go along on one of their projects to show you what they do.

Cathy Timm is not a contractor.

"You're torturing me," she said with a laugh, holding up a new storm door.

But she is a quick study and a hard worker.

"This one I am learning on the job," she said of the job.

And in no time, this house in Sheboygan has a brand-new storm door, just in time for the winter.

"Whoo, that looks good, you guys," she exclaimed once the door was hung.

This project isn't just installing the door.

"I am insulating around the windows," said Lisa Hartman, treasurer for Rebuilding Together Sheboygan County.

The windows are getting replaced, too.

"First time ever installing windows," Hartman said enthusiastically.

All of the people doing the work are volunteers for the organization.

"Our goal is to help our neighbors in need live in homes that are warm, safe and dry," said Communications Coordinator Jocelyn Ertel.

They do it all for free.

Ertel got involved after volunteers worked on her home.

"I had this little short list of things I was concerned about, and they came through and did their 25-point inspection and identified some problems I didn't even know existed," Ertel said.

The service is income based, and those interested have to apply.

"We help seniors, hopefully to be able to age in place in their homes. We help veterans often," Ertel said.

Everyone here working on this home is motivated to help. But they say there's just one problem - they say not enough people know about them.

"They don't. They don't. And we've really tried everything we can to get our name out," Timm said.

And as Timm pointed out, repairing homes improves the entire community.

"It makes me feel good to know I'm helping someone in the area. And I actually only live three blocks from here," she said.

They want people to remember that one simple motto.

"Dry, safe and warm," Hartman said.

That's making a world of difference.

"You know how much you're helping somebody out and how much they really do appreciate it," Hartman said.

People can apply for work to be done at www.RTSheboygan.org, and of course, they're always looking for volunteers and donations to keep these projects going.

If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected]