Fred and Ginger Stevenson of Brighton found themselves in the middle of what Ginger described as, “You know that extreme home-makeover show? Like that, but smaller.”
“This is far above what I expected or hoped for,” Fred said. “I would not have asked for this, if I’d known the scope.” A Viet Nam-era veteran, Fred reflected on the Brighton Help for Homes program. The Stevensons are in their 70s. Fred is a double amputee.
Coordinated by Denver-based nonprofit Brothers Redevelopment for the City of Brighton, the annual program helps seniors who can’t afford repairs. Eagle View Adult Center solicits applicants and volunteers and makes volunteer lunches. Brighton Legacy Foundation provides funding.
Helping seniors is the Help for Homes M.O., but on May 3, the Brighton Fire Rescue team transcended the usual. Nearly 40 volunteers worked to improve Fred’s accessibility and safety and Ginger’s ability to care for her husband.
Inside the Stevenson home, BFR volunteers installed laminate flooring to eliminate wheelchair hazards. Thanks to Lt. Brian Olivas, Brighton Home Depot donated the flooring. Grab bars in key places and a small ramp to the back porch completes the picture. A roll-in shower replaces the tub.
Coordinated by Lt. Gary Dawson, others stained the fence, repaired the gate, planted roses and trimmed trees. Remax’s Jennifer Sheldon and her family tilled Ginger’s garden for planting.
Ginger brought Fred home from the rehab facility for a short visit. She said it’s “the highest spirits she’s seen in him in quite some time,” Lt. Dawson shared. “I couldn’t be more proud of being a part of Brighton Fire.”
“Be sure to tell people how much we appreciate this,” Fred said. “Tell them ‘thank you.’ This is amazing, overwhelming,” Ginger said. “Life will be so much easier for Fred and for me. Next year I hope to be on a team helping.”