It is amazing how far $60,000 can go. Plans for the restorations and repairs in East Lake Neighborhood, part of the next big Corporate Reinvestment Challenge that will be officially launched in October at the Atlanta Global Summit, are rolling in. So far there are eight identified candidates that will require less than half of the projected funds of $60,000. With each dollar stretched as far as it can go, more citizens can be assisted in restoring pride and value to their property, as well as returning the same quality of life they deserve in their senior years.

The candidates come from diverse backgrounds, have fallen on hard times, or for some, they simply can no longer afford the upkeep of their house. All of them have one thing in common: they need and will greatly appreciate our help.

For one family, it is a matter of their son returning home when he is released from the hospital. Their teenage son was walking back from a basketball game at East Lake Park when he was shot twice. The injury left him without the use of his legs and his house must be customized to accommodate his needs. Until the changes are made, the Shepard Spinal Center will not let him come home and instead will place him in foster care. Both of his parents are hardworking, but alone cannot afford the costs to customize the house with ramps, widened doors and an entirely new bathroom. This project has high priority with plans already underway so that the family will be able to receive their son with open arms and a ready home.

A long time resident and homeowner for more than 30 years really needs a helping hand. A new furnace, a clean coat of paint and yard work would go a long way in improving his property. He is retired APD, is putting his wife through nursing school and his house adjacent to the East Lake Golf Course.

One project does not involve fixing a house but instead removing it. Once a very active neighbor who took interest in the community activities, this man lost his family in a car accident and his house recently burned down, with no insurance. The lot has yet to be cleared and instead lays as an eyesore for the community and a financial burden to him as he is fined each day the property is left in its current condition. Once an excavator knocks the remains of the house to rubble, volunteers will be needed to help cart the rubble away and clean up the yard.

A resident on Memorial Drive is in dire need of some help. Widowed for more than 30 years, with no living relatives and a severe hearing problem, this resident has almost given up. Her house has no gutters so rain continually floods her basement, leaving her without heat or air-conditioning as it usually extinguishes the pilot light and floods the system. The lack of gutters also contributes to the poor drainage in her yard, causing water intrusion that leaves the carpeting constantly wet. On top of these problems there are several cracks in the ceiling of the house. These repairs would drastically improve her house and her life.

Another roofing project is needed for a retired neighbor. A big leak in the front of the house makes several of the rooms unusable and wet. The house has been recently painted, so she simply needs a new section of roof to restore her home.

An easy job for Summit volunteers: repainting a house on Alder street for a woman. The new paint would do wonders for the house and would be a great project for everyone to chip in, chip the old layers off, and apply new coats of paint.

It literally rains into the home of a 95 year-old resident. A temporary tarp has been placed over the gap on the roof but it will not hold the monsoons of the summer for long. A new roof needs to be put in place as soon as possible for this woman who had given up hope and was beginning to think it was normal for an afternoon shower to occur inside her living room.

The last planned project in this first wave is for a woman who has water intrusion problems as well. There is a hole under the window in her bedroom that goes down to the foundation of the house. This is causing water to leak into her basement, and in addition, the basement drain is plugged. Her siding needs to be pressure washed and the yard could use some work as well.

A little really can go a long way, and this is just the beginning. The more money donated and raised, the more homes and lives that can be restored. Helping hands and hard work before summit will also be an essential element in making a difference in the East Lake neighborhood and making this CRC an overwhelming success.