THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — Dozens of volunteers from a non-profit organization and Home Depot are renovating Phyllis Johnston's Olympia home this week.
She’s getting new paint, inside and out, landscaping, new flooring, and doors, all for free.
”It’s the best thing that’s ever happened,” said Johnston.
Johnston and her husband Loren moved into the northeast Olympia home in 1989, but it fell into disrepair after her husband’s death in 2018.
The couple’s home has also taken on some new residents.
Along with her dog, Jack, and several cats (she’s not sure how many), her daughter, granddaughter, and newborn great-granddaughter share the 1200-square-foot home.
”Mostly it’s crowded because they each brought their own households with them, and it’s all in my house,” said Johnston.
Since she is a military widow, Johnston qualified for help from Rebuilding Together Thurston County and the Home Depot Foundation.
Home Depot donated $15,000 in supplies and 75 employees are donating their time doing jobs like removing carpet, painting, and planting flowers.
Rebuilding Together Thurston County volunteers replaced a fence, updated electrical outlets, and are building a wheelchair ramp to the front door.
Johnston has had a scooter for about a year but hasn’t been able to get it in and out of the home.
All the work should be wrapped up by the end of the weekend.
”It’s a miracle, that’s all I can figure. God calls everybody in their own way,” said Johnston.
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