Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Hi Neighbors! Thanks for coming back to help Mr. Bobby and Mrs. DeShay. This community, and the neighbors, are the best! I cannot express how grateful and how inspired I am by the outpouring of support. It does more than just warm my heart knowing that you all care so much for your neighbors, it feeds my soul.

Mr. Bobby and Mrs. DeShay have enjoyed their home, every single bit of it, since the big reveal. It's been the highlight of their life together (other than having their children) according to Mrs. DeShay. Having to ask for donations to address a major issue with their roof, which was not replaced during the remodel, is heartwrenching. Unfortunately, the roof over the laundry room has suffered significant water intrusion which was hidden during the remodel because it was supposedly addressed just months before I met them. Unbeknownst to anyone working during the remodel, the person they trusted to fix the problem only covered up the damage and never corrected the root cause of the water intrusion. Now, water has saturated an entire exterior wall and has caused massive mold growth, drywall damage, electrical hazards, and so on. The entire roof needs to be replaced to fix this issue once and for all. However, because of the damages caused by the roof, the cost to fix everything is just under $12,000. I have already set aside $5,000 of my own money and will be fundraising the remaining amount. There is no donation too small, and if you wish you could, but simply cannot, sending out good energy and prayers is something that means just as much as money.

Thank you, everyone, for everything.

Paste the link below into your internet browser to watch the story of Mr. Bobby and Mrs. DeShay.

https://www.wsav.com/community/neighbors-helping-neighbors-campaign-inspires-community/

These are my neighbors, the best neighbors I've ever known, Mrs. DeShay and Mr. Bobby. They have lived in the home next to mine for nearly 30 years. Together, they have raised three very bright and beautiful daughters and are now grandparents to two grandchildren. Over the last 30 years, they have worked tirelessly providing for their children and tithing at their church.

Mr. Bobby was a grave digger and was responsible for preparing the final resting place for thousands of our loved ones. There is a good chance that he prepared the grave for a loved one in your life. Mr. Bobby dug the burial grounds for his own mother and two brothers. Nearly 70 years old now, Mr. Bobby still enjoys working outdoors and you can find him every week cutting his grass with a push mower, however, he is unable to work like he used to. His body simply cannot match the physical demands of the job. His income has dropped to nearly zero. 

Mrs. DeShay still works two jobs. For the last 28 years she's worked as a paraprofessional in a classroom with profoundly handicapped children and for the last 23 years, she's been a cashier at Kroger. Most nights, she finally arrives home at 11pm and wakes up at 4:45am. She works 7 days a week, every week. 

Their combined income is less than $29,000. 

After living next door for almost 6 months, I was invited in their home for dinner which was prepared for me as a way to say, "Thank you," for a little painting I did on their outside trim. I could tell that over the years the house has started to give away and even though it was obvious by how clean their home was, it had already started to crumble around them. I talked with them briefly about fixing a few things like lights and leaky sinks and they cheerfully accepted my offer. Mrs. DeShay cried, and said, "I don't know how God brought you to be my neighbor, but I'm so grateful he did." In that moment, the expression of gratitude and relief was so genuine that it made me begin to cry.

I knew there was more work that needed to be done to their home so they can continue to live safely and comfortably. So far, there has been major work completed inside and out. They have a brand new service panel for their electric service and it was relocated to a safer place on the side of their home. Hundreds of feet of old wiring was ripped out and replaced. The outside of their home had extensive wood rot so it was replaced and painted. I went ahead and whitewashed their brick facade as well. All of their indoor furniture was replaced with new furniture, including their 20 year old mattress and boxspring set. Carpentry work, plumbing work, replacing broken ceiling fans and lights... the list goes on and on.... the total so far that I've been able to help with exceeds $15,000. 

Friends, there is still a lot more work that needs to happen. A new roof needs to be installed correctly, all new kitchen cabinets need to replace the current ones that are literally falling apart. The floors need to be repaired where there were leaks and damage from termites. The single bathroom needs to be completely gutted and replaced, and so much more. The remaining cost is another $15,000. 

On June 1, 2020, Mrs. DeShay and Mr. Bobby have agreed to leave their home for 9 days. They will be visiting their daughters while their own home is remodeled. Only SIX days from today, we will begin the work that normally would take 4-5 weeks to complete and shrink it down to 9 days! I know, I know... I'm crazy. This has to happen. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION. They deserve a home that will take care of them as they grow older so they can depend on a place that will serve their needs.

The times we are in now are unprecedented and I understand that most of us aren't in the Top 1% of the wealthy. I know that every dollar counts more than ever right now. Please, only donate if you can. If you find yourself wanting to help and you'd like to volunteer time to help with the remodel, it would be just as appreciated. Donations of materials needed for the work will happily be accepted as well. Contact me by clicking below if you'd like to volunteer or donate supplies. You can also send donations via Venmo to @BrianParkerSavannah or CashApp to $BrianParker85.

I believe that if everyone in the world gave more than they took, we would all have more than we need. For those who need to buy or sell a home in the future, I will multiply your donation 50X and rebate it back to you from my commission earnings, up to $1,000. A $20 donation now means a $1,000 savings later. For anyone who helps with the work or donates materials, you will automatically receive $1,000 as a rebate. 

No matter how big or small your donation, as little or as much of your time you can spare to be involved, every single dollar and minute of time will count towards something that will literally change the lives of two people that you may never meet. Sharing this post to your social media pages can help impact the lives of these two people who served families for generations. Thank you for reading this and thank you for being a part of something life changing.