Volunteers spend a sunny Saturday morning giving back to the community. As NY1's Shannan Ferry explains, they're giving one woman the chance to save a home she loves.
Yvonne Shackelford said her Jamaica home is deeply meaningful to her.
She grew up in the home with her parents and her sister Candy, who all passed away.
But with degenerative joint disease, maintaining the home has been a challenge.
"Floors were buckling it's an old house, I didn't have a kitchen, I haven't had a kitchen since 2013," said Shackelford.
But thanks to volunteers, Shackelford's home will be completely refurbished.
The house was selected by the non-profit Rebuilding Together NYC. The organization works to rehabilitate homes and make them safe places to live.
"I couldn't sleep, just so happy, just enormously happy, I appreciate them," Shackelford said.
Shackelford's home will get new floors, walls, landscaping and more.
Volunteers were hard at work on Saturday, which marked National Rebuilding Day.
It's a nationwide effort to provide free home repairs for low income Americans.
"If those of us who have something and are comfortable, can give just a little time and energy, we're helping people who can't help themselves, and I think that that's huge," said volunteer Loretta Tapia.
The project site is one of seven homes and community centers volunteers will renovate in Jamaica. They also plan to install outdoor lighting to increase public safety.
"You get a group of 10 people in here and the difference they can make is tremendous," said Executive Director Kimberly George.
As for Shackelford, she is forever grateful to these volunteers.
"This has been a long time coming," she said.
The upgrades will allow her to honor her parents and her sister, by passing down the home for generations to come.