Volunteers Build a Home for the Holidays
By DEBRA BOGSTIE
Updated 12:00 AM EDT, Sat, Dec 5, 2009
A Griswold family now has a new home just in time for the holidays thanks to the generosity of community members and volunteers.
The Landas lost their home to a fire in June. They arrived to that Bethel Road location on Friday to a cheering crowd and a UHaul van blocking their view. A driver moved it out of the way so the family could see their new home in a scene similar to the television show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart," said David Landa, who was paralyzed in a swimming accident in 2008.
The 2100-square-foot handicapped accessible home was built entirely by volunteers. Many of them had previously worked on an "Extreme Makeover" the next town over, in Voluntown, for the Girard family.
"It's a huge sense of accomplishment not just for me, for our team, but also for the community knowing that we're not going to leave our neighbors in a lurch," said Dino Tudisca, one of the volunteer contractors.
The family plans to celebrate the holidays at their new home with family and friends.
"The house is more than I ever imagined," said Dawne Landa. "It's overwhelming and I love it."
First Published: Dec 4, 2009 11:55 PM EDT
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